OPERATIONS IN NEW GUINEA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2274, 7 October 1914, Page 5

OPERATIONS IN NEW GUINEA

FULL STORY PUBLISHED . TAKING OF WIRELESS STATION (Rec. October 6, 10 p.m.) Sydney, October 6. Tho newspapers publish lengthy accounts of the capture of Rabnul and Herbertshohe, in German New Britain,' elaborating tho main incidents already cabled. Tlio operations included some hard' fighting through 'tropical jungle, particularly in tho capture of tlio wireless station eight miles inland from Rabaul. The station was guarded by lines of. trenches and other impediments. This was first undertaken by a small naval party, subsequently strong reinforcements were sont. After a stubborn resistance, Lieutenant Kempf, who was in charge of the first lino of trenches, surrendered with tlireo Germans and twenty natives, and accompanied tho Britisli to tlio second line of trenches, which Lieutenant Kompf ordered to surrender. This was done under a whito flag. The arms were being collected, when the Germans made a bolt to tho bush, and the British under the wliito flap were fired upon by natives posted in tho treos. Lieut. Kempf ordered them to cease firing, but the firing was continued. Three British were, wounded, ono fatally. A German named Bitter and some native prisoners dashed into tho bush, and the British. fired, killing ton natives and Hitter; the rest escaped. The force advanced to the wireless station, whero they found seven whites and 25 natives, who surrendered without opposition, Tho party then returned to the skips.

Most of tbo casualties among the attackers were caused by natives sniping from the trees. Accounts from New Guinea carry tho operations to September 13, when Herbertshohe surrendered. The capital, llabaul, was occupied on Soptember 11, and was found largely deserted. Tlio Union Jack was hoisted, and a. proclamation road notifying that _tho German Government had ceased to "exist, and exhorting the people to continue their peaceful occupations. The troops marched through the town, which, was an impressive ceremony. Three hundred native police woro taken over and sworn in. The health of the forces is excellent. It is stated that the seat of government has been removed to Tonia.