JAPANESE LULL

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 292, 8 September 1942, Page 5

JAPANESE LULL

All New Guinea Forces

SHIP IN SOUTH-EAST (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.- —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.)

(Received September 7,11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 7.

The Allied air force continues to exploit its air superiority in New Guinea. The latest communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters reports further co-operation by fighter units with our ground forces in the Kokoda sector. On Sunday three bombing and strafing attacks, were made on the enemy’s advanced positions. No ground activity in this area has been reported for some days, and it is believed the Japanese have temporarily ceased their efforts to press ou toward the Kokoda Gap, the 7009 ft. pass to Port Moresby. However, the Japanese have been moving .supplies from their coastal base at Bunq to Kokoda. The period i>t Japanese air inactivity is now entering its second week. Enemy bombers have not raided any Allied base, and there has been nd recent attempt at fighter interception of our raiding aircraft.

Today’s communique reports that our heavy bombers made an attack on an enemy cargo vessel in south-east New Guiuea waters. The news of this attack follows the weekend announcement of the bombing of a Japanese cruiser in the same area. The results of both bombings were not observed, and no explanation has been offered of the presence of an enemy warship and freighter in tms area. Milne Bay was not mentioned in today's communique, but a headquarters spokesman stated that mopping-up operation iu the area were proceeding. Observers believe that the present lull in the Kokoda land fighting may be short-lived. The moves of Japanese strength from. other theatres is considered likely to portend ominous events in the south Pacific as well as elsewhere.

Japanese Endurance. Australian war correspondents' emphasize the quality of the Japanese troo’ps opposing tke Australians at Kokoda. Veterans of the Middle East campaigns say that the Japanese are “far more robot-like than the destiny-seeking Germans.” They show complete disregard for death and are willing to endure auy privations. They attack at night and prefer to move in heavy rain, which muffles noise.

The enduring, fanatical patience of the enemy is evidenced by the fact that Japanese snipers are known to have waited in cramped, rain-soaked positions and short of food for as long as four days in the expectation of meeting Australian patrols. Recent fighting in the close jungle has frequently occurred at 10 yards’ range. The soldiers returning from the Kokotlq front emphasize that the Japanese have been beaten and can be beaten, but that easy optimism when opposing them IS always dangerous and often fatal. Enemy scouts listened to the conversation of Australian patrols and learned the names of group leaders. Later they attempted to cause confusion by shouting out orders in English and using the leaders’ Christian names. It is now revealed that civil flyingboats played an important role in establishing the secret Allied base at Milne Bay. Flying at night, often through tropical rainstorms, the flying-boats transported military personnel and many tons of urgently-needed supplies to the hiddenuase, the existence of wliich was evidently a complete surprise to the Japanese. The last load was rushed in only a few hours before the enemy invasion began. The systematic destruction by Allied planes is believed to be making Buna untenable as an enemy air base. The heavy destruction caused among the enemy Zeros is believed to have immobilized the Japanese bomber squadrons by leaving them temporarily without fighter support on all the fighting fronts under General MacArthur's command.