TRAP SPRUNG IN NEW GUINEA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 285, 1 September 1942, Page 5

TRAP SPRUNG IN NEW GUINEA

Japs Crushed At Milne Bay FOUR FAILURES IN CAMPAIGN

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received August 31, 9.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 31.

The Japanese are being swept from the Milne Bay area, in the south-east corner of New Guinea, by a tremendous Allied drive. Some remnants of the enemy force have been saved from destruction—they were evacuated by naval craft under cover of darkness —but the remainder appears likely to be killed or captured. This electrifying news was announced today by General MacArthur’s headquarters in a special statement, and it followed within 24 hours of the unofficial but authoritative reports that reinforcements had reached the Japanese, who were stated to be holding the initiative in bitter fighting.

The sudden dramatic change in the situation is revealed in a statement to war correspondents, which reads: '‘The Milne Bay area is rapidly being cleared of the enemy. Australian combat troops, ably'commanded by MajorGeneral Clowes and brilliantly supported by American and Australian air units, have thrown the enemy back into the narrow coniines of the peninsula north of the bay, where he is being rapidly reduced. His losses have been heavy. Some remnants of his force were probably saved from destruction by evacuation in naval warcraft under cover of darkness. All his heavy supplies and equipment, including tanks, were lost. Efforts Against Moresby.

“This operation represents another phase in the" pattern of the enemy’s plans to capture Port Moresby. This citadel is guarded by the natural defence line of the Owen Stanley. Range. The first effort was to turn its left flank from Lae and Salamaua, which proved impracticable.

“The enemy launched a large convoy, force against its rear. This was repulsed by air and sea action in the Coral Sea.

/‘He then tried to pierce the centre in a weak attempt by way of Buna, Gona and Kokoda, subjecting himself to extraordinary air losses because of the extreme vulnerability of his exposed position.

‘‘His greatest effort was to turn the right flank by a surprise attack at Milne Bay. The move was anticipated, however, <and prepared for with great care and with complete secrecy. The position was occupied by our forces and converted into a strongpoint, and the enemy fell into, the trap, with disastrous results to him.”

WAR’S FIRST JAP EVACUATION

Destroyer Fleet’s Role

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.)

(Received. September 1, 12.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 31.

The newp of the sweeping Allied success at Milne Bay came at a time when a grave view was being taken of the battle. The Sydney “Sun” in the edition which announced our success published a leader headed, “Danger Moves Closer,” commenting on the seriousness of the New Guinea situation and the vital threat offered to Port Moresby by the Japanese occupation of Milne Bay. In later editions the leading article was changed for one headed, “Victory of Milne Bay.” Sunday’s communique from General MacArthur’s Headquarters reporting the arrival of eight Japanese warships in Milne Bay, said: “Reinforcements may have been landed.” Whether the dramatic twist in developments came as a result of subsequent events is not yet clear. However, war correspondents believe that the warships arrived not to land reinforcements but to evacuate the already beaten Japanese force. An aerial reconnaissance on Sunday revealed' that the warships had left the bay. This is the first occasion on which the Japanese have evacuated troops in the Pacific war.

The fighting in Milne Bay is continuing, though it is believed now to have assumed the nature of mopping-up operations by the Australian troops. Jap Reverse at Kokoda.

The full story of the Allied-success is eagerly _ awaited here. While the deterioration in the New Guinea situation reported on Sunday was unexpected, no less unexpected is the significant improvement reported today in all sectors. The latest communique states : “At Kokoda sporadic fighting iu thick jungle country occurred on Sunday, resulting in the repulse of the enemy with ' heavy casualties.” Observers believe that the enemy was feeling out our positions, and that the casualties were proportionately rather than numerically great. At Salamaua the Japanese ground activity is increasing, but the movement is believed to be confined to small groups of enemy 'troops, and combat has not been reported. The “Sun” warns: “Elation over the success must not be allowed to merge into that easy complacency which has followed other successes in the past-months. Tile enemy is aggressively strong and resilient, and after a setback he does not draw off and lick his wounds.” It is suggested that he may seek a new point at which to strike. ■ Marked Air Superiority Tribute is widely paid to Major-Gen-eral G. A, Clowes, who commands the Milne Bay forces. He is aged 50, and he gained the D.S.O. and M.C. in the last war. A Duntroon graduate, he is described as “almost shy in private life, but a vigorous, efficient soldier, and absolutely fearless in battle.” He was one of nine Australian brigadiers who were recalled after nearly two years’ service in the Middle East and promoted to majorgeneral. Our new marked air superiority is recognised as a deciding factor in the Allied success at Buna and Milne Bay. Great destruction has been caused to enemy supplies as well as aircraft.

Bad weather allowed the original enemy convoy to reach Milne Bay without air opposition, and it is believed that had the conditions permitted air attacks the enemy bridgehead could not have been made. Similarly, the eight warships which reached the bay on Saturday night were protected by adverse weather making air attack impossible. The sole Allied air activity reported during the past 2-4 hours was an attack by heavy bombers on an enemy cruiser transport at Rabniil. The results were not observed. Two enemy raids have been made on Darwin, but both were ineffectual. the bombs falling harmlessly in the harbour and mangrove swamps.