ANZACS FINISHING THE TASK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23113, 30 January 1945, Page 4

ANZACS FINISHING THE TASK

Clearing Japanese From Pacific Islands Bitter War Of Attrition Official R.N.Z.A.F. News Service BOUGAINVILLE, Jan. 23. In November, 1944, an Australian lieutenant-colonel stood on a 2500foot ridge on Bougainville and, in the presence of a group of United States officers, lobbed two grenades at a Japanese pillbox 30 yards away. One grenade was of Australian origin, the other American. This novel and practical ceremony marked the. formal taking over of the sector by the Australian forces, and within six days the Australians had pushed forward from the Empress Augusta Bay perimeter to drive the Japanese from Little George Hill, smash a counter-attack and capture two other strongly defended heights. Since then, the advance has continued steadily. Artillery Hill fell after a bitter fight late in December, and on New Year’s Day Pearl Ridge was consolidated. These three ridges taken by the Australians are steps across the central heights, and now for the first time since the Japanese occupation of Bougainville, troops are afforded a view of the ocean on the east side of the island.

Supported by R.N.Z.A.F. In these ground attacks the troops have been supported by dive-bombing Corsairs of the R.N.Z.A.F. which have usually been led to the target by R.A.A.F. Boomerangs, filling the role of pathfinders. Thus for the first time since the Anzac Corps fought in Greece in 1941 under General Sir Thomas Blarney, Australian and New Zealand forces have co-operated in battle. Now, as then, the two forces operate smoothly together. The New Zealanders’ part is that of preparing -the way for the Australians, striking with depth charges and bombs at tough pockets of fiercely resisting Japanese. Their efforts have won the admiration and thanks of Australian officers who have witnessed the work of the Corsair squadrons. Recently for instance, the position of a Japanese Battalion headquarters was discovered. Led to the spot by a Boomerang, Corsairs dropped eight depth charges and eight 500-pounders in a glide-bombing attack and followed up with two strafing runs. Reconnaissance showed that the headquarters, consisting of five buildings and four native-tyjfe huts, had been demolished. This is the type of support that ground troops can appreciate, and relations between the air and ground forces could scarcely be more cordial. In addition to the drive across the centre of the island, Australian troops have been aggressively patrolling northwest of the perimeter along the coast past the mouth of the Kaviki River and south-east of the perimeter to points south of the Jaba River. They have found the enemy to be phvsicalb' fit, well-armed and well-equipped, and indications are that although he has been comparatively passive since his failure to recapture the Torokina perimeter in March, 1944, he is determined to resist strongly the troops now operating against him.

Previous Operations Bougainville and surrounding islands were occupied by - the Japanese in March, 1942. The enemy, therefore, has had ample time in which to consolidate his holdings. The American landing on Bougainville was made in November, 1943, and United States forces maintained a defensive perimeter around Empress Augusta Bay. The perimeter pivoted approximately on Cape Torokina, and extended in a ragged semicircle of 134- miles fronted to Empress Augusta Bay and six and a half miles deep at its widest point. From behind this barrier American and New Zealand aircraft challenged and overcame Japanese air power in the area, and then Jiarried the enemy on the ground. Complimentary to the Bougainville campaign were actions conducted in some of the islands of the surrounding archipelago. The enemy had garrisoned these islands to a varying degree, and it was necessary for Allied security on Bougainville that the Japanese should be eliminated or neutralised. The campaign of elimination began on August 5, 1943, with the United States landing on Munda, off the coast of New Georgia, some distance south of Bougainville. Within a month it fell to the Allies. On November 8, in the same year, a New Zealand brigade which, with Fijians, had fought through the Solomons with the Americans, took Treasury Island in one day. On the horseshoe of large atolls which comprise Green Islands to the north of Bougainville. the New Zealanders achieved another victory. The final action was accomplished in T larch, 1944, by the Americans on Emirau Island, still further to the north. On all four of these islands, experienced Australian garrisons have now replaced the Americans.

Four peoples, therefore, have played a part in the campaign against the Japanese in this area—the Americans, New' Zealanders, Fijians and Australians. Tire Fijian troops have long since returned to their sunny homeland for a wellearned rest. They were recognised as being among the finest troons ever to face the Japanese. The Americans are passing on to new theatres. Theirs was the honour of initiating the Allied moves and of consolidating the territories daringly won. And now the task is to be finished by Australians and New Zealanders. The commencement of this latest and final phase of the campaign augurs well for a decisive and early conclusion.