MENACE GROWS IN ISLANDS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 108, 1 February 1943, Page 5

MENACE GROWS IN ISLANDS

Japanese Mass MORE SHIPS AND TROOPS

(By Telegraph ■ Press Assn.— Copvrlirlir. 1 (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received January 31, 9.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 31. The Japanese continue to build up their strength on the line from Timor to the Solomon Islands. At their key base of Rabaul 60 warships are .- gathered, according to Washington reports. Fresh reinforcements of war shipping are arriving, say these reports. Reuter’s correspondent with the American Pacific Fleet states that a chain of new Japanese buses is being developed in the northern Solomons. War observers in America predict a major Japanese attack against Guadalcanal. Correspondents on tlie island report that there is evidence that the Japanese have succeeded in landing troop reinforcements, but the number is not known. Washington also reports recent landings of enemy reinforcements both in Timor and New Guinea. The Commonwealth War Cabinet yesterday considered tlie news of the Japanese offensive preparations, and two members, the Minister of Air, Mr. Drakeford, and the Minister of Home Security, Mr. Lazzarini, have supplemented Mr. Curtin’s warnings of Australia’s danger. Bombing Delays Plans. However, it seems improbable that the first step in any moves for which the enemy is preparing would be a direct attack on the Australian mainland. The Allied air attacks against enemy shipping and air. bases, it is generally conceded, have delayed the execution of the newest Japanese plans, which have been developing for some weeks. , In tlie South-west Pacific Command area 58 raids on enemy targets have been made during the past week. In their latest attack on tlie great Japanese shipping concentration in Rabaul harbour, which was made early yesterday morning, our heavy bombers scored hits on a vessel of undetermined size, and three explosions followed. Fires were started in the wharf area and among supply dumps, but intense searchlight glare prevented full observation of the result. At Open Bay, on the north coast of New Britain, about 70 miles foom Rabaul, our bombers scored two hits on a 2,500ton transport, and troops on tlie deck were heavily strafed. Liberator bombers and Catalina flying-boats attacked , the aerodromes at Gasmata and Cape Gloucester, which have been developed as important fighter bases for Japanese moves in the Solomon Sea. These bases have also been used by the enemy to provide fighter protection for the attempts to land reinforcements in northern New Guinea. Here the main Japanese base, Lae, was the target for a particularly heavy predawn attack yesterday.

ENEMY ATTACK IN NEW GUINEA

Trounced In Area Of Goldfields (Received January 3.1. 9.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 3.1. About 250 Japanese soldiers were killed when strong enemy patrols attacked the Australian positions in tiic Mubo-Wau area of New Guinea. The dead included an enemy regimental commander, Colonel Kitamura. Our losses were slight. After bitter fighting, which lasted for six hours, the beaten enemy were compelled to retire in disorder, with our troops in pursuit. Allied medium bombers also attacked the fleeing troops, while our planes bombed and strafed enemy supply dumps and installations in tlie rear areas. This new flare-up of land fighting in New Guinea began with a dawn attack on Thursday, when Japanese patrols supported by mortar fire, drove against tlie Australian outposts on the east side of Wau, the famous goldfields centre. Time after time throughout tlie morning the Australians fought off heavy onslaughts, and under cover of these actions our reinforcements were moved up. We counter-attacked and forced the Japanese back toward Mubo, 15 trim miles south of Salainaun. \\ uu is about 30 miles inland from Mubo. Ihe fiercest fighting occurred round villages about five miles south-east and eight miles north-east of Wan. In a three days’ raid on the enemy positions nt Mubo a fortnight ago. Australian troops killed lot) Japanese and destroyed their headquarters. The latest fighting in tlie area is the first land clash in New Guinea since the Australians and Americans 10 days ago mopped up the Japanese remnants at Sanananda, about 140 miles to the south-east of Mubo.

NEW JAPANESE BASE

Effort In Central Solomons

WASHINGTON, January 29.

A Nuyy Department conimutiique yesterday " stated : "Ground operations at Guadalcanal on’ January 27 resulted in the capture of a large and wellestablished enemy command post. Thirty-six Japanese were killed and three taken prisoner. A large aniouii of equipment was captured. Two pockets of enemy resistance were wiped out in- other .sectors. “During the morning enemy divebombers and high-level bombers, escorted by fighters, approached Guadalcanal. United States fighters engaged the enemy planes. Incomplete reports indicate that nine Zeros were destroyed and six others probably destroyed. The enemy planes dropped no bombs. Four United States planes are missing. “A force of Marauder medium bombers escorted by Airacobras, bombed installations on Kolombangara Island. A large tin* was started. All the Uniled States planes returned. A force of Dauntless dive-bombers and Avenger torpedo-planes, escorted by Wildcats, attacked an enemy destroyer and a cargo ship in Vella Gull during the evening. Two direct hits were scored on the cargo ship, which was left sinking. Bombs fell close to tire destroyer. which was left sinking. "During the afternoon of January 28 a force of Dauntless dive-bombers and Avenger torpedo-planes, escorted byLightnings, attacked Japanese ships 15 miles north-east of Kolombangara Island. Several Ships Hit. "A torpedo bit caused a large explosion iu an enemy destroyer. _ One bit by a bomb, and several near hits, were scored on a cargo ship. Near hits were observed ou a tanker ami a cargo ship. The tanker was left dead in the water. The vessel was last seen smoking. One of four Zeros which were intercepted was shot down. All the United States planes returned." The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times” says that the air allacks described in the communique were carried out in an area which hnd so far not been oliicially mentioned, but which is fairly close to Munda. New Georgia. ’Phis increase, say oliicial observers, that the Japanese are attempting to establish new secret supply dumps at Molombangara. preparing for a major attack on Guadalcanal. The "New York Times" correspondent on Guadalcanal. Foster Hailey, says that the Japanese prisoners call Guadalcanal an island of death. The enemy realize thnl they have been virtually abandoned to their fate. The decimalion of the Japanese forces is methodically continuing, mainly from destroyers, which sometimeH cruise so near to the Japanese-held shores that rifles are used on board.