NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 126, 29 May 1944, Page 5

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

END NOW IN SIGHT i BIAK ISLAND TAKEN LEAPFROG OFFENSIVE (Special Australian CorrenpondenP—N.Z.P.A.) Recd. 7.35 p.m. Sydney, May 28. American invasion troops landed early yesterday morning on Biak Island, near the western tip of Dutch New Guinea. The capture of this Japanese stronghold, a keypoint in the Schouten Islands, in Geelvink Bay, 200 miles west of Wakde Island, gives Genera] MacArthur’s forces complete domination of Dutch New Guinea, except for isolated enemy positions. “For strategic purposes, this marks the practical end of the New Guinea campaign,” declares to-d iy’s Southwest Pacific headquarters communique announcing the final stage of MacAarthur’s leapfrog offensive in Dutch New Guinea.

This offensive began with a landing on April 22, and was continued by a subsequent landing on Wakde Island on May 18.

Only light losses were suffered by the Americans at Biak. Invasion troops went ashore under cover of air and naval bombardment, and are now advancing toward the island’s three airfields, seven miles from their beachhead. They are meeting Japanese resistance. The strength of this opposition has not yet been disclosed. The capture of Biak Island will enable intensification of the Allied air and naval blockade of the remaining Japanese bases in New Guinea. ’ With their supplies completely cut off the enemy garrisons face starvation and annihilation.

Biak Island has been a most important Japanese strongpoint in the Geelvink Bay area. Its three airfields—Sorido, Mokmer and Borokoe—formerly based considerable plane strength. This, however, was effectively neutralised by incessant Allied air attacks during the past three weeks.

Enemy airfields on nearby Noemfoor Island were also heavily hit in these preliminary softening-up raids. The chief remaining Japanese strongpoint in Dutch New Guinea is Manokwari, 150 miles west of Biak. Manokwari has already been a tai»;et for the stepped-up air offensive which is now certain to be further intensified.

Since General MacArthur began his great forward drive in New Guinea on April 22, his forces have captured 16 strategically-important Japanese airfields.

“The final stage has been reached in the offensive initiated in this theatre on June 28, 1943, by the combined forces of the South-west Pacific and the South Pacific,” says General MacArthur’s communique. It has resulted in the reconquest, or neutralisation. of the Solomons. Bismarcks. Admiralties and New Guinea. From the forward point reached by the Japanese we have advanced our front approximately 800 statue miles westward, and approximately 700 miles to the north.

“Compared with the enemy, our offensive employed only modest forces, and, through the maximum use of manoeuvre and surprise, has Incurred only losses. These operations have effected a strategic penetration of the conquered Empire which the Japanese were attempted’, to consolidate in the South-west Pacific, and have secured bases of departure for the advance to its vital areas in the Philippines and the Netherlands East Indios.”