PORT MORESBY BOMBED

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21686, 24 March 1942, Page 3

PORT MORESBY BOMBED

ATTACK BY JAPANESE POSSIBLE ENEMY PLAN (United Press Ass*i.—E/e<* Tel. Copyrlg-tot) SYDNEY, March 23 Port Moresby had its heaviest daylight raid this afternoon. Japanese bombers came over in two waves of 10 and nine machines respectively and dived down to within a few hundred feet of the ground to attack their targets. The Berlin radio claims that the Japanese are 60 miles from Port Moresby and are still advancing from the north. The reports that the Japanese are attempting to cross New Guinea and take Port Moresby from the rear show that the Allied air attacks on shipping must have seriously affected enemy plans, because nobody would take the land route to Port Moresby if the sea approach round the tip of New Guinea were possible. The passage of the mountains would be an enormously difficult task, even to Japanese accustomed to audacious methods of infiltration, states the Sydney Morning Herald’s military correspondent. They are apparently moving up the valley of the Markham River in force, and naturally their difficulties increase with their numbers. The absence of opposition will probably allow them to traverse the first belt of broken country, with its swamps and jungle, but then comes the obstacle of the Owen Stanley Ranges, with peaks rising to an average of 12,000 feet, and with communications limited to a few most difficult and scarcely-known tracks, where portage difficulties would be almost insuperable. * "Almost Fantastic.” In none of the “impenetrable” jungles in Malaya did geographical obstacles even remotely compare with those of eastern New Guinea. Once over the mountains, the troops would have to cross a dangerous zone of rivers and swamps, and then, having accomplished a journey of almost §uperhuman difficulties, they would have to encounter the vigilant and fresh defenders of Port Moresby. Judged by normal military canons, the march across the island on Port Moresby seems almost fantastic; but, if it succeeds, we shall have to revise still further our already-changed ideas about Japanese audacity and physical endurance. The undertaking shows the great importance the Japanese attribute to Port Moresby, and also their sense of urgency. If they were not in haste, the sensible move on their part would be to wait and replace the shipping lost in the recent ten days of Allied air raids and then attempt a direct landing by sea along the south-east coast of Papua. The possibility that this is their real aim and that the Markham River drive is merely a feint designed to split up British forces should not be overlooked. Nazis in New Guinea Some of the stories of Nazi espionage and fifth column activities in New Guinea are almost unbelievable, says a correspondent, but there is definite proof that certain Lutheran missions were the centres of activity, although staffed mainly by Britisn, American, and Australian citizens. In one place more than 100 photographs of Hitler, Goering, Himmler, and other Nazi leaders were found, and elsewhere hundreds of miniature swastika flags and armbands were discovered in all stages of production, apparently made lor celebrations to mark the arrival of the Japanese. Stocks of trade mirrors bearing Hitler’s photograph also were found. One man is reported to have marched through a native village singing the Horst Wessel song, and hundreds of village piccaninnies are stated to have been taught the Nazi salute. At one mission station a magnificent aerodrome was always kept in first-rate order, also huge workshops had been built, apparently for the use of the enemy in the event of a landing in the north coast area. More than 15 aerodromes and landing grounds were maintained along the coast by the missions. For long it has been suspected that a pedal wireless transmitter was being used at Malabang, near Lae, by Lutherans for the transmission of secret information abroad. Recently the remains of a transmitter were found at Malabang after attempts to destroy it had been made by the operators. Missionaries had been active for two years before the war. preparing apparently for “der tag,” and trying to make the natives Nazi conscious. . Responsible local residents made many complaints and military authorities repeatedly suggested a cleanup of the whole affair. Decisive action was not taken until the military took over the administration recently.