THREE SERVICES CO-OPERATE

Southland Times, Issue 25347, 26 April 1944, Page 5

THREE SERVICES CO-OPERATE

Navy And Air Force Bombardment

SYDNEY, April 24.

“We have seized the Humboldt Bay area on the northern coast of Dutch New Guinea, approximately 500 miles west of Saidor,” says General MacArthur’s communique, today, announcing the newest sensational development in the war against the Japanese. Ground troops landed at Aitape, Hollandia and Tanahmerah Bay > covering a front of about 150 miles. The landings were made under cover of naval and air bombardment, and followed neutralizing attacks by our air forces and planes from Pacific Fleet carriers. Complete surprise is understood to have been effected and the troops went ashore after the landing points had been bombarded from sea and air. Feints made towards Madahg and Wewak in north-east New Guinea appear to have deceived the Japanese into concentrating a mass of troops in these sectors leaving the.vital Hollandia sector vulnerable. ENEMY TROOPS CUT OFF The operation frees British New Guinea from the Japanese and is the first recapture of Dutch territory in the war. General MacArthur s communique says that 140,000 of the total Japanese forces destined for the invasion of Australia are now trapped in the New Guinea and the Bismarck areas. The original enemy force was estimated at 250,000. The remaining 110,000 enemy troops have been wiped out. The trapped troops are located as

follows: New Britain, 50,000; New Ireland, 10,000; Bougainville, 20,000; New Guinea, 60,000. These invested garrisons are expected to strike desperately and time and combat will be required to accomplish their annihilitation, but General MacArthur declares that their fate is certain. The Japanese troops, isolated in New Guinea are cut off by Australian and American forces to tire west, Americans to the north and by an impassable mountain barrier in the 1 hinterland. With Allied control of the sea lanes and undisputed air mastery their ultimate fate is sure. The landings, which were watched by General MacArthur on board a cruiser, were preceded by a tremendous bombardment by carrier-based aircraft, and only minor opposition was encountered by the ground troops, which' landed east and west of Hollandia, and after occupying it started a drive on the airfield. The second landing made halfway between Hollandia and Wewak completely isolates Wewak. WEWAK BLASTED FROM AIR

333 Tons Of Bombs Dropped

(Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 25. While land operations further to the west have been prpceeding General MacArthur’s heavy bombers have blasted the Wewak-Hansa area of New Guinea with 333 tons of explosives. Between 30,000 and 40,000 enemy troops are estimated to be concentrated in this sector, which is thus a possible base for counter-attacks against the Allied beach-heads. Today’s south-west Pacific Headquarters communique says: “Before noon our heavy aircraft dropped 176 tons of bombs on Boram, But, Dagua and Wewak aerodromes, damaging runways. South of Dagua attack planes dropped 22 tons of bombs on inland villages and lines of communication. Many buildings were destroyed and fires were started. At Hansa Bay our heavy, medium and attack planes struck

bivouac and supply areas after dawn with 135 tons of bombs, starting fires. On the Madang coast Allied ground forces have captured enemy equipment and supplies. Allied air patrols executed numerous sweeps along the north New Guinea coast, destroying buildings, supply dumps, a bridge and two motor vehicles. t. North-west of the new Allied beachheads Liberators on successive days dropped 41 tons of bombs on Japanese aerodromes at Nabire, Kamiri and Namber in the Veelvink Bay area. In a combat 14 of 30 defending enemy fighters were shot down, with three others probably destroyed. Several Liberators were damaged, but all returned safely to base. The airfields at Veelvink Bay are on the Japanese air route to Hollandia. Rabaul airfields and supply areas have been hit with a further 92 tons of bombs.