ATTACK ON RABAUL

Southland Times, Issue 24859, 26 September 1942, Page 5

ATTACK ON RABAUL

ALLIED PLANES ACTIVE (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A. (Rec. 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 25. In an early morning attack on Rabaul harbour on Thursday Flying Fortresses scored a direct hit amidships on an 8000-ton enemy cargo vessel, which was left burning and probably sank. Raids were also made on Dilli (Timor), Buka (the Solomons), Mubo, an advanced base for Salamaua, and points on the Port Moresby trail over the Owen Stanley Range. It was reported that there had been considerable recent Japanese shipping activity in Rabaul harbour and our bombers encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire from warships and shore batteries. Several ships are stated to have been in harbour when the attack was made. The situation on the Owen Stanley front line area is reported to be unchanged, with patrols in contact, but with the main forces still unengaged.

Unofficial reports describe these clashes as “fierce” but they are not referred to in General Douglas MacArthur s latest communique. JAPANESE AT MUBO The enemy concentrations which were attacked at Mubo, 16 miles south oi Salamaua, are officially stated to be relatively small bodies of troops. No new enemy move in that sector, m which the situation is generally static is indicated at present and the presence of enemy troops there cannot be yet regarded as evidence of another prong in the Japanese drive on Port Moresby. The Japanese occupation of Mubo was announced some weeks ago. It is believed the enemy is using the village as an advanced base to prevent Allied ground reconnaissance of activites at Salamaua. _ . „ . „ , Allied aircraft continue their attacks on the bridge over the Kumusi river at Wairopi on the Kokoda trail. Already the bridge has once been destroyed and several times damaged. After each new attack the Japanese work feverishly to rebuild the bridge as it is vital to their supply system; Today’s communique mentions an attack on the aerodrome at Kokoda. The headquarters spokesman said no Japanese air activity was observed on the aerodrome but there were signs that work had been carried out. This is an indication of the Japanese intention to use Kokoda aerodrome. RAINY SEASON APPROACHES The Japanese cannot too long delay their move against Port Moresby if they wish to avoid the enormously complicated transport difficulties presented by the rainy season, which is due in a few weeks. At the height of the rains 10 to 12 inches fall daily on jungle tracks already deep in slippery mud. The consequent slowing up of transport would make the enemy’s lines of communication increasingly vulnerable to Allied air attacks. JAPANESE ATTACKS Fierce And Sustained (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 10.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 25. “The Japanese have not succeeded in New Guinea by outflanking movements alone,” declares a British observer in the area. “Their direct attacks on Australian forward positions have often been fierce and sustained. For instance, some 10 miles south of Kokoda they attacked forward companies almost incessantly for four days. Six times one Australian company was driven off a ridge and five times it regained the lost ground. The sixth time it failed, but there was then less than half or the original company left. Another company position was overrun by the enemy, but the troops stuck there and were still fighting two days later. The same kind of fighting went on all the way back. “Many outflanking movements were directed against Australian unit headquarters and lines of communication. AUSTRALIA’S ARMY Organization Reviewed (Rec. 10.50 p.m.) CANBERRA, Sept 25. The entire Australian Army organization is being ruthlessly sifted, the Minister of the Army, Mr F. M. Forde, told the House of Representative today. A review of the army commands was proceeding and men or officers found unsuitable were weeded out or transferred to duties more suited to their capacity. , _ He revealed that the change-over of two fairly senior officers had been made during the New Guinea campaign. READY FOR LONG WAR Japanese Preparations (Rec.) 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 24. “Japan is ready for a long war, de- > clared Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, who is heading the Japanese Naval Mission to Rome. Admiral Nomura was quoted by Rome radio. “Enormous quantities of raw materials accumulated from the. conquered territories and an inexhaustible reserve of man-power will enable Japan to maintain a long war if Britain , and America plan along those lines,” he said. MR MENZIES’S APPEAL (Rec. 8.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 25. “The chronic disease of under-estim-ating the enemy” was trenchantly attacked by the former Prime Minister,

Mr R. G. Menzies, here today. “Why every now and then does it become necessary for us to declare that man for man we are better than the Japanese?” he asked. “So far we have had defeats and they have been administered by a people who have learned more about the art of war than we have. Let us admit that and we will be well on the way to recovery. “A straight look at ourselves would not dampen our patriotism,” he declared. “The fire within us is no flickering flame to be put out by the first gust of wind.” AMERICAN SHIPS LOST Destroyer And Transport WASHINGTON, September 24. The Navy Department announced the loss of the destroyer Jarvis and the auxiliary transport Little in the Solomons area. It is believed that approximately 250 lives were lost. The Jarvis was damaged as a result of enemy air attacks off Guadalcanar while en route from the Tulagi area to a southern repair base. The Jarvis has been overdue for several weeks and an intensive search by ships and aircraft failed to locate her or reveal any trace of her personnel. The Little was sunk by enemy action in the recent operations in the Solomons Islands area. JAPAN AND INDIA I Likelihood Of Attack Discounted NEW YORK, September 24. War experts in New Delhi believe that Japan is more likely to push on to Australia than to attack India, says The New York Herald Tribune’s correspondent, Sonia Tomara. It is obvious that no,, campaign against India could be carried out without large forces by sea around Singapore and so far there has been no such movement. In an interview with the correspondent General Sir Archibald Wavell, com-mander-in-chief in India, spoke calmly and confidently of the general Allied position. CHEKIANG FRONT Chinese Threat To Lanchi (8.0.W.) RUGBY, September 24. Latest reports from Chungking indicate that the position on the Chekiang front remains comparatively static following the defeat of Japanese counterattacks from Lanchi. On this sector the Japanese are now defending a line along the Lan river which runs through the southern suburbs of Lanchi. Though they appear so far to have resisted successfully Chinese attempts to establish bridgeheads on the north bank of the river they have been unable to remove the immediate threat to the city, which is under continual Chinese pressure. At the same time there is news that the Chinese drive north-east of Lanchi and Kinhwa threatens to turn the fortified positions the Japanese had established for the defence of the cities. Reports of renewed activity in the neighbourhood of Tungyang, 30 miles north-east of Kinhwa are considered in Chinese quarters in London to indicate a tightening of the Chinese grip on the supply route of the Japanese garrison, which is increasing danger of being cut off from its base at Hanchow.