NEW GEORGIA

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22470, 4 January 1943, Page 2

NEW GEORGIA

Allied Air Attacks Munda Bay Area The Munda Bay area in New Georgia, north-west of Guadalcanal', is being systematically bombed by American aircraft. The reference to bombing attacks on airfields in process of construction confirms my view, previously expressed, that an airfield could rapidly be constructed there. The most suitable area is the mission cricket field, bounded on the west, north and east by part of the Koken-' golo coconut plantation, and farther back still by bush of secondary growth says the Rev. A. H. Voyce, in the “New Zealand Herald." On the south is the hill known as Kokengolo, where most of the mission buildings were located, an excellent commanding position for anti-aircraft guns. Less than a quarter of a mile from this field is the bay, which was a base for flying-boats. To the wharf at Haivo, in the corner of this bay. near the sawmill and boatsheds, runs a good coral road. The second probable position of an airfield is at Lambetl, about one mile to the east along the shores of the Roviana Lagoon, which is also connected by a good road with Haivo anchorage and wharf. Lambetl plantation. which is a narrow strip running Inland from the shores of the lagoon, is immediately opposite the small islet of Hombapeka. The Roviana Lagoon is acknowledged to be one of the finest island enclosed lagoons in the world. The area of this lagoon, known as Lambetl and Hombepeka, is probably the oldest settled area of the Solomon Group. Here the late Norman Wheatley. a pioneer, established his headquarters. built houses, stores. Jetties and workshops for repair of ships. The anchorage is a good one, and overseas vessels frequently anchored there, four and five at a time, in the ’eighties and nineties. The anchorage could be used for seaplanes. Densely Populated District The third possible area for an airfield would appear to be the plantation just south of Kokengolo hill. This is a large flat expanse, with outcroppings of coral, and was covered with coconuts. With modern equipment it could readily be cleared and levelled. All these areas would provide excellent surface once they were levelled, for they are all composed of upraised coral formation.

Perhaps an added inducement to the Japanese to make a base at Munda is the fact that there is a large native population. Five miles east of Kokengolo, up the Roviana Lagoon, and for a similar distance west through the Wanawana Lagoon, is one of the most thickly-populated areas of the central Solomons, with a potential supply of native labour for impressment as labour gangs, although the report that the Japanese were shelling native villages there does not suggest that the labour Is willing to be “pressed” into service.

The area is one of the most heavilybearing coconut zones of the Solomons, there being nearly 17,000 acres of European coconut plantation in the Gizo district, of which Munda Bay is a part, besides the very large native resources. Moreover in the same area were over 3000 cattle. Also, no doubt of value to an invader would be the large gardens of native foods, planted behind the cricket field area and all along the coastal strip of the lagoon, and on the rich islands off the shore.

Right opposite the Munda Bay area to the south, about 10 miles away, stands out prominently the island of Rendova, which to Aucklanders is always a reminder of home, for the contour of the island Is very similar in appearance to Rangitoto. Here there is an excellent anchorage suitable for large vessels, and a passageway in sheltered water between Rendova and Montgomery Islands, through Blanche Channel toward Guadalcanal