ATTACK ON MUNDA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25276, 13 July 1943, Page 5

ATTACK ON MUNDA

AMERICAN PREPARATIONS PATROLS CLOSING IN (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) (Rcc. 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, July. 12. American forces are about to*iaunch a strong attack against the Japanese positions guarding Munda airfield. Big numbers of assault troops have reached jumping-off positions flanking this first important strategic prizd of tne Pacific offensive. Tokio radio admitted that for some days United States patrols have been operating within-two miles of Munda. It is believed that the mission of the Japanese naval task force now in the Solomons Sea is to relieve the increasing pressure on Munda. Composed of an undisclosed number of light cruisers and destroyers, the force was last reported at Kula Gulf, east of Kolomhangara, near the scene of the defeat of tne last Japanese naval force. Bad weather has screened the second force in its dash from the northern Solomons towards the eastern entrance of Kula Gulf.

The Japanese warships were first sighted early oh Saturday morning by a Catalina flying boat south of Choiseul Bay, about 40 miles north of New Georgia. Our attacks failed. Later Liberator heavy bombers picked up the force 10 miles north of Munda, scoring two direct hits. No subsequent attack has been reported, but aircraft are searching between New Georgia and Kolombangara for the ships. Meanwhile Allied artillery has been transported from Rendova to positions flanking Munda’s defences and will undoubtedly fill an important role in an attack against the airfield.