REDUCING RABAUL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24826, 24 February 1944, Page 5

REDUCING RABAUL

FEW PLANES AT BASE RAIDERS NOT OPPOSED NEW GUINEA ADVANCE (Special Australian Correspondent) (Reed. 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 23 The 42nd aerial attack of the year against Rabaul was made on Sunday. Allied Solomons-based Mitchell bombers, escorted by Corsair fighters, encountered no Zero opposition. The enemy working parties had scarcely finished repairing the runways of Lakunai aerodrome when our planes struck their latest blow. Five large fires were started. Aerial reconnaissance has revealed that the smallest number of aircraft in the history of the Japanese base are now stationed at Rabaul. Fewer than 100 machines, including seaplanes, were seen in the aerodrome revetment areas and on the harbour. Decrease in Shipping The shipping concentration is a fraction of the former large tonnages, although the Japanese still have a large number of barges at the base. While the evidence does not point to a Japanese withdrawal from Rabaul, it does indicate the gradual relaxation of the enemy grip on this strongpoint. Although shipping in Rabaul Harbour is comparatively small, it is admitted that, in spite of the relentless Allied aerial poundings, the Japanese have succeeded in getting ships both in and out of Rabaul.

In the latest attack, one raider was shot down by the enemy ground defences, but the crew was rescued. Fighting on Land

The most determined ground activity in the Saidor area of New Guinea since the Australian and United Slates lorees linked there a fortnight ago is reported by General Aim-Arthur's communique to-day. _ Striking °"t 1 roin Saidor. tli6 Americans captured Grfibunii village and established a _ bridgehead across the Aloi; River. Allied artillery shattered enemy concentrations near Cape Iris, killing at least 40 Japanese. In a series of patrol clashes around the American beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay. Bougainville Island, in the Northern Solomons, Allied ground forces killed 120 Japanese.

ENIWETOK FIGHTING SNIPERS IN PALM TOPS NEW YORK, Feb. 22 "Except for Parry Island, the remainder of Eniwetok atoll is in our hands," states a communique from the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Nimitz. The fighting on Eniwetok Island differed from all previous actions in the Gilbert and Marshall groups because there was less naval and artillery preparation, says the Associated Press correspondent on board the American flagship. "Our marines and soldiers had to root Japanese out oi the deepest underbrush and contend with snipets in the tops of palms. "The Japanese strongly defender the western tip of the island with pillboxes and mortars. They even foolishly challenged seven marine tanks with two light tanks, but they were destroyed in a five-minute battle." GREEN ISLAND NATIVES 900 SAFELY EVACUATED (N 7 E.F. Official War Correspondent) N.Z. HEADQUARTERS, Feb. <2R Approximately 900 natives evacuated from Green Island have arrived at a base where they will be looked after until the receding tide of war enables them to he returned home. The natives were happy to leave the war area and appeared thoroughlv to enjoy the trip. Tliey were very well behaved, "quieter than some troops we have carried," grinned a sailor of one ship carrying them. Many are in poor condition alter two Years without the pre-war care of tip' Australian authorities.