ENEMY LANDINGS IN NEW GUINEA

Southland Times, Issue 24651, 24 January 1942, Page 5

ENEMY LANDINGS IN NEW GUINEA

POSITION CAUSES MUCH CONCERN (Received 1 a.m.) MELBOURNE, January 23. A joint communique issued by the Army and the Air Force in Melbourne today states that Japanese landings are reported in the New Guinea and Solomon Islands areas. Active Japanese air reconnaissance was made over widely separated points in these areas, but there were no reports of any damage.

Following a special meeting of the War Cabinet and the service heads, the acting Prime Minister and the Minister of the Army, Mr F. M. Forde, said the Government was much concerned about the position both in Malaya and New Guinea. As reports came to hand and views were exchanged with the authorities overseas, Cabinet would review the military position and determine what measures could be taken in co-operation with the Allied nations to counter the advance of the enemy.

Earlier in the day Mr Forde said that there was reason to suppose that the Japanese had landed at Rabaul, on the island of New Britain, off the coast of New Guinea. He also said that there were three Jaanese aircraft carriers in the vicinity of New Guinea.

Mr Forde added that the Japanese attack on New Guinea was clearly a prelude to other moves further south. The people of Australia must realize the extreme gravity of the situation if the enemy secured a foothold in the New Guinea territory. He urged them to face the situation with courage and cool heads, and he called for the maximum effort from everyone.

In the absence of definite information from Rabaul itself the fate of the garrison stationed in the town is unknown. It is believed the men have been unable to leave the island , but have retreated from the town. All communications from Rabaul ceased at 4 p.m. on Thursday. It is believed that the wireless and telegraph stations at Rabaul had been demolished by our own forces and that the town had been evacuated. Rabaul is 800 miles as the bomber flies from Cape York Peninsula, the most northerly tip of Australia.