ALLIED DESTROYERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1944, Page 3

ALLIED DESTROYERS

OPERATING IN SUPPORT OF LAND FORCES ON DUTCH NEW GUINEA COAST BOMBING ATTACKS CONTINUED (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, May 23. Allied destroyers have joined in the assault on (he Japanese mainland positions west of the Tor River, in Dutch New Guinea. The American bridgehead across the river is still under enemy mortar fire. The American infantry forces have artillery support. The main objectives of this American drive arc the enemy airfields at Sarmi and Maffin Bay, about 20 miles west of Wakde Island. Sawar airfield, six miles from Sarmi, has a runway of 5100 feet, capable of extension. Maffin Bay airfield is about 5500 feet and could be extended to 7000 feet. Large Japanese encampment and supply areas stretch almost continuously from Sarmi to Maffin Bay. In spite of their weakening position in the north-west of Dutch Now Guinea, there is some evidence that the Japanese are reinforcing their bases on territories on the southern coast. Their main base of Kaimana was bombed by Liberators on Sunday, large fires being started in supply areas. Fifteen barges were destroyed ox- damaged, two coastal vessels sunk and four - others damaged in aerial strikes over Noemfoor and Biak Islands, in Geelvink Bay. Nearly 150 Mitchells, Bostons and Beauforts, escorted by Lightning fighters, again pounded Japanese-occupied areas between Wewak and Hansa Bay in British New Guinea on Sunday. Admiral Halsey, commandex- in the South Pacific area, visited Australia last weekend and. conferred with the naval commandex- in the South-West Pacific. Vice-Admiral Kinkaid. Admiral Halsey, who has been appointed to an undisclosed post since the South Pacific command area ceased to operate, has now left this area.