MAJOR ATTACK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 4, 6 January 1943, Page 5

MAJOR ATTACK

PENDING IN PAPUA ASSAULT PREPARATIONS AT SANANDA macarthuTconfident \ (Special Australian Correspondent— N.Z.P.A.J (Recd. 9.55 p.m.) Sydney, Jan. 5. Australian and American forces are regrouping for a major attack to destroy the remnants of the Japanese Papua army, strongly entrenched at Sanananda. While our aircraft have been active in attacks on the enemy positions, heavy land fighting has not yet occurred, but is expected at any time. A high-ranking Australian officer has described the fighting which ended with the capture of the Buna area as “a series of brilliant actions culminating in the conclusive defeat of the enemy.” The campaign was in the nature of siege operations against a series of strongly prepared and mutually supporting positions established in considerable depth. A carefully-prepar-ed plan of operations, closely coordinated and controlled, gradually overcame the enemy’s strongholds. During the final stages of these operations the enemy’s killed were estimated at 1200.

It is revealed that 35 Korean coolies were included in the 60 Japanese prisoners captured in the Buna Mission area. The Koreans showed evidence of general ill-treatment, and had apparently had little fo-3d for some time. In the mopping un operations on Monday 50 more Japanese were killed.

Although the enemy positions at Sanananda are flanked by swainpt, which present grave difficulties for an attacking force, limiting the use of tanks, the confident note sounded in General MacArthur’s communiques discussing imminent operations in this area has given rise to hopes of the early liquidation of the Japanese in the salient.

Havocs and Marauders have begun “softening up” the enemy positions with bombings and strafing attacks, while our artillery are ranging the area.

Torrential rains are now falling over northern Papua. It was earlier feared that these might begin before the capture of Buna, thus adding considerably to the difficulties confronting our forces. Allied strategy is stated to be alive to the danger of fresh Papuan invasion attempts by the concentration of enemy merchantmen, transports and warships at Rabaul. Our Air Force again raided Gasmata, Lae and Finschaften. At Lae Marauders destroyed three grounded Japanese aircraft. Although the Papuan campaign is generally accepted in Australia as an accurate measure of the Allied task throughout the south-west Pacific, a very nopetul picture ot possible progress in the war against Japan is painted by the American Associated Press military analyst, John Hightower, who says: “Tne Allies are developing the strategy of blockade and bomoardment against Japan instead of more costly island-by-island advance. The conquest of Buna represent the completion ot one of the initial moves in the new strategy. Buna, henceforth, will be General MacArthur's forward base, similar to Guadalcanar, which is Admiral Halsey’s forward base. Guadalcanar has been a highly profitable military investment. The Japanese have thrown in prodigious quantities of ships, planes and troops in vain .•'ttempts to recapture it. Although the Americans moved into Guadalcanar In August they made no efforts to advance because their strategy is not to advance but to destroy the Japanese army, navy and air forces from Guadalcanar, where the enemy losses are already five times those of the Americans.

"General MacArthur’s victory at Buna gives the Allies another point from which great attrition may be worked on the Japanese forces at the ends of their long supply lines. Moreover, planes from Guadalcanar and Buna are now in position to .blast Rabaul from two directions and take lurther toll ot the already overtaxed Japanese shipping lines. The waning Japanese maritime strength is expected to increase the difficulties ot supplying outlying bases, while home production is placed under a heavy load supplying the Pacific outposts along with tlie armies in China and Burma. Thus some American military authorities confidently expect the Japanese to withdraw from some conquered areas without even being attacked. , .

After the process of attrition has accomplished its work a combined British and American naval blockade will be thrown around the Japanese home islands, accompanied by intense aerial bombardment, after which comes the final step—the actual invasion of a severely-weakened Japan.” A Japanese spokesman, Colonel Taagi, of the enemy High Command, writing in the paper comuri Shinioun, predicts attacks on Australia from the Solomons and New Guinea as part of al 011-out Japanese offensive this year. He admits that Japan at the moment is on the defensive, but claims that the reason for this is preparation for offensive measures in China and Burma, where the enemy positions are to be consolidated for an attack on India.