JAP THRUSTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 288, 3 September 1942, Page 5

JAP THRUSTS

Close Fighting In Papua BAYONET CLASHES

(By Telegraph.—Press' Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received Sept. 2, 1 1.40 p.jn.) , SYDNEY, Sept. 2. The increased enemy activity in the Kokoda sector in Papua may mean that the Japanese, Having failed at Milne Bay, intend to try forcing their way to Port Moresby across the difficult Owen

Stanley Mountains. Such efforts .would be probably supported by a simultaneous move on Moresby from another direction. Persistent infiltration in the direction of the mountains is occurring, and the enemy is now in high country beyond Kokoda. Fighting on an increased scale is reported about 2000 feet above sea level. Today’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters says:—“Our ground forces are closely engaged in jungle fighting against enemy thrusts of increasing strength.”

War correspondents report ' that bayonet clashes have occurred between opposing patrols. Though the tempo of the action is rising, the fighting up to date cannot be described as heavy, and the enemy has barely begun to tackle the hardest portion of his task in this sector. In the meantime the Japanese moves are handicapped by adverse weather and flooding of rivers at vital points. The main enemy thrusts during the past few days are said to have been directed against some steep slopes leading to the pass through the ranges. ■ Allied fighter aircraft have closely supported our ground defences. Yesterday two strong strafing attacks were made on the advanced enemy posotions and on their lines of communication along which supplies are being moved from Buna to Kokoda. It is understood that the attacks were made by Airacobras, which stormed along the valleys in the foothills of the range. Japanese aircraft have not yet attempted to support their troops in this sector. “Scattered jungle fighting of the guerrilla type continues at Milne Bay,” says today’s communique, referring to the continued mopping up operations by Australian troops.

MANY JAP BODIES FOUND

Mopping Up At Milne Bay

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.! SYDNEY, Sept. 2. No estimate of the Japanese, casualties at Milne Bay is/ yet possible, but there is growing evidence that substantial losses were inflicted ot) the enemy. Australian militiamen stationed at the beach defences ambushed one '■newly-landed detachment and killed more.than 200, Hundreds of thousands of rounds of. ammunition were expended by the Australian fighter pilots attacking enemy personnel, and they are known to have caused heavy casualties. One airman has told how ho killed a group .of 50 Japanese who were having a meal in a jungle clearing; The number of bodies being found by Australian troops engaged in mopping up testifies to the hurriedneas of the Japanese evacuation.

Among the equipment left behind were flame-throwers which the enemy has in- - produced for the first, time in the. Pacific •war. .There is no evidence that flamethrowers were used at Milne Bay, but they may have been carried as an experiment in terrorising tactics. The enemy troops landed at Milne Bay are believed to have been crack assault marines of the Imperial Navy. Though an eye-witness account does not suggest that any major battle was fought during the brief campaign, there were several spirited local engagements. The battleground extended from the foothills of Mount Thompson, to the edge of Milne Bay. - • "Mystified by Withdrawal.” Observers here are increasingly ffiystified by the enemy withdrawal. The Japanese evacuation came as a complete surprise. The "Sydney Morning-, Herald’s was correspondent say-s "it is difficult to understand why, holding temporary control or the sea lane leading to Milne Bay, the Japanese did not attempt to reinforce rather than take otf their troops. • The "Herald's” military correspondent warns that the Japanese threat, to Bort Moresby is unauated and that the revival of aggressive enemy activity at Lae, Salamaua, aud Kokoda must be correlated with Japanese plans to converge on Port from other directions. Sea coil’ trol is the key to the situation. The position at sea must be resolved decisively in our favour before there can be any strategical safety in the south-west Pacific. ... ... Australia’s natural elation at the victory at Milne Bay was well expressed by the Sydney "Kun,” which said: "Not in this area alone will its eitects add strength to the arms of the United Nations. The victory of our jungle fighters will- surely reverberate throughout China and India, and its tonic effect .will hearten and inspire every country which had reason to fear the Japanese domination of the Pacific. "But, make no mistake- —there will be greater and more critical battles than Milne Bay. and they must be won. llabaul is the key to the situation. 1111 the enemy is burled from that base the south-west Pacific cannot feel secure.