LATEST MOVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 205, 31 August 1943, Page 5

LATEST MOVE

AMERICAN FORCES IN SOLOMONS OCCUPATION OF ARUNDEL ISLAND (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Recd. 10.45 p.m. Sydney. Aug. 30. American forces have made an unopposed landing on Arundel Island, in the Kula Gulf, between New Georgia and Kolombangara, in the central Solomons. The occupation of Arundel Island is reported in General MacArthur’s latest communique, which adds that our forces are consolidating. The latest move links with the recent occupation of Vella Lavella Island, possibly to take the Japanese garrison on Kolombangara in the jaws of a pincer movement. War correspondents estimate that there are several thousand enemy troops on Kolombangara, and the occupation of Arundel Island tightens the Allied net of encirclement around them. In attempts either to get supplies to their beleaguered garrison or to evacaute Kolombangara the Japanese must run the vigilant American naval blockade, which so far has cost them several warships and supply vessels and a large number of barges. In New Guinea, too, the land battle for Salamaua is moving toward a rapid climax. General MacArthur’s communique to-day reports that sharp ground fighting is occurring along the entire front, with the enemy launching frequent counter-attacks to preserve his hard-pressed positions. Australian troops have been successfully infiltrating through the enemy defences.

These newest Allied land successes in the South-west Pacifi? area have been supported by a continued strong air offensive by planes of both General MacArthur’s and Admiral Halsey’s commands.

Along the north New Guinea coast General MacArthur's bombers are disrupting the enemy's supply line to Lae and Salamaua. For the second time in four days attack bombers have made a smashing raid on Hansa Bay, an important feeder port half-way between Madang and Wewak through which the Japanese have been attempting to get stores and equipment, south. The whole waterfront area was heavily attacked. Reporting the result of this aerial assault, General MacArthur’s communique says a 2000-ton vessel a patrol boat and 31 barges and luggers were destroyed. Numerous tires visible for 60 miles, with smoke rising to 4000 feet, were started in fuel and ammunition dumps. Bivouac and anti-aircraft positions at the Nubia Awar plantation were heavily attacked. There was no air interception. One of our planes was shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

Strong attacks on Lae and on barge hide-outs in the Salamaua area were also reported. Heavy bombers escorted by fighters attacked the waterfront area at Voco Point, Lae, with 29 tons of explosives, destroying three jetties and 20 barges. There was a large explosion and fires were started. There was no air interception. In the Vitiaz Strait, between New Guinea and New Britain, on the enemy’s supply route six other barges were destroyed near Long Island, while to the north-east in the Kavfeng sector. New Ireland, one of our heavyreconnaissance bombers attacked and damaged a 7000-ton freighter-trans-port. A small freighter and a number of barges have been destroyed or damaged in various parts of the Solomons. In all more than 60 Japanese luggers or barges have been destroyed or probably' destroyed by Allied air attack in the past 24 hours. Many of these barges were sizeable cu*aft, well powered and carrying ligh" anti-air-craft protection. Some were equipped for carrying troops and others for carrying oil or other stores.