PROBLEM IN NEW GUINEA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 259, 31 July 1942, Page 5

PROBLEM IN NEW GUINEA

Allies Remain On Defensive MOUNTAIN THRUST (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received July 30, 10.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 29. The, “New York Times,’* in a leading article on the Japanese offensive ;in New, Guinea, says: “General MacArthur’s forces are still pinned to the defensive. The commando attarks against Lae have not been followed up, while the Japanese air attarks on Townsville suggest that the Japanese have recovered the initiative even in the air. The Japanese inlltration/ in the supposedly impassable Owen Stanley Range inhirates a movement southward greater than the Allies antiripated. ■ “Mr. Owen Latimore recently said that the Chinese are the only troops who have been able to recover territory from the Japanese, and in the New Guinea area the Australians and Americans have a chance to show what they can do. The recent South Sea history indicates that Port Moresby and the strategic control of the north of Australia may be lost unless the enemy is driven from his new bases.”

ENEMY DESTROYER (SET ON FIRE Australian Colonel Dead (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, July 30. Allied bombers last night scored a direct hit on a Japanese destroyer off Gena, the new enemy base on the north-eastern coast of Papua. When last seen the destroyer was on fire and headed toward the land. Taking advantage of bright moonlight, our bombers also heavily attacked enemy positions and installations at Gona. One Japanese fighter was shot down. The enemy have made no further progress in their land advance from Gona. Skirmishing continues in the Kokoda area, approximately half-way to Port Moresby. The first casualty in the Kokoda fighting is revealed with the announcement from General MacArthur’s headquarters that Lieut.-Colonel W. T. Owen, a Victorian officer of the A.I.F. has been awarded the American Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary gallantry in action. He was mortally wounded. Both sides are known to have suffered casualties in the clash in central New Guinea, tout the extent of the losses is not revealed. Darwin and Moresby Raided. The fighting is still confined to advanced elements, and it has not developed sufficiently to indicate the ultimate Objective of the Japanese forces. The village of Kokoda itself is officially described as “no man’s land.” The enemy last night made ineffective bombing raids an Darwin and Port Moresby. Two small formations of bombers raided Darwin. They caused no casualties and only minordamage. Port Moresby was attacked by three flights of heavy bombers, and intense anti-aircraft fire engaged the raiders, whose bombs fell harmlessly.