BOMBING RAIDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25056, 21 November 1944, Page 5

BOMBING RAIDS

JAPANESE GARRISONS NEW GUINEA RESISTANCE (Special Australian Correspondent) (Reed. 8.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 20 Allied planes have dropped 1700 tons of bombs on the Japanese-held portions of New Guinea, New Ireland, New Britain and Bougainville during the past four weeks. Hundreds of aircraft have been engaged in these operations, while many thousands of Allied troops are employed as holding forces against isolated Japanese units. These enemy garrisons arc not all dying of starvation, but in some instances are actually colonising the territories in which they have been cut off. With the Pacific war spotlight focussed on the Philippines, 3000 miles from Australia, the presonco of 60,000 Japanese in tho islands nearer Australia has been temporarily obscured. Nevertheless, these enemy forces must soon be met and defeated. Though they cannot escape or be reinforced and are receiving only limited supplies by submarine, military intelligence reports indicate that they are still consolidating their positions and extending their influence over native populations. The main targets for Allied air attacks in this area during the past four weeks have been Itabaul, on which 600 tons of bombs were dropped, Wewak, attacked with 400 tons, and Vogelkop, with 200. The recent stepping up of these attacks indicates the importance attached by the South-west Pacific Comrnand to the continued harassing of enemy garrisons and the blasting or their positions in order to give them as little opportunity as possible to dig in.