REINFORCED IN PAPUA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 263, 5 August 1942, Page 5

REINFORCED IN PAPUA

Invasion Column SKIRMISHING IN JUNGLE “The Forgotten War” (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) SYDNEY, August 4. The Japanese forces which landed in the Buna-Gona area in Papua almost a fortnight ago are now believed to have been reinforced with small numbers and additional supplies. Enemy shipping movements indicate this. It was officially announced today that the original convoy comprised two cruisers, three destroyers, and five transports, of which . three transports were either sunk or damaged. Air action on Monday was lighter than for some time. Our fighters, however, strafed Japanese positions in the vital Kokoda area and started fires. The ground situation is unchanged. Australians who are skirmishing with the enemy in the thick jungle are storing continued local successes. Native troops have taken a prominent part in these land operations. The Japanese are said to be masters of the art of camouflage, and their soldiers are dressed in green with green, nets breaking their facial outlines. Standing motionless among the trees, they are difficult to see. ' In the earlier campaigns the infiltrating Japanese troops usually wore singlets, shorts and sandshoes. This dress has not been seen in the Kokoda sector. American’s Opinion. While further developments in the fighting near Kokoda are being awaited, war correspondents and news bb l servers continue to stress the need for offensive action by the Allies. The “New York Times” correspondent, Mr. Bryon Darnton,. cabling to his paper, says that “What is known among the Americans here as ‘the forgotten war’ is not forgotten by Tokio. It might be a good idea for the folks at home to meditate on the fact that though General MacArthur is an exponent of offensive warfare, it is the Japanese who have struck first.

Reviewing the twin Japanese assaults —by land and air—Mr. Darnton says that the raids on Darwin, and Townsville are expensive to the enemy and the cost is hardly worth paying unless they are carried out with sufficient numbers to prepare the way for invasion action. He attaches considerable significance to the continuation of the raids. Another American correspondent calls Port Moresby “a thorn in the paw of the Jap.,” which he is determined to pluck out with the bayonet if necessary. “Give Us the Tools.” ■

“Give us the tools and we can finish the job,” declares the “Sydney Morning Herald.” “With the proper tools, aircraft ami warships, we can begin the job of throwing the Japanese out of their island strongholds. The longer that task is postponed the more difficult and costly it must become. An early offensive, strongly mounted, would pay dividends out of all proportion to its drain on Allied resources.”