BEACH LANDING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 16, 14 October 1943, Page 5

BEACH LANDING

Resistance From Planes Only

(Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) " VELLA, LAVELLA, September 19. A large convoy took the New Zealand troops unmolested on the second stage of their move to a forward Solomons island. The ships, disposed in wide diamond formation, were an open invitation to Japanese bombers or submarines; but whether the enemy intelligence had failed to gather information of the New Zealanders’ departure, or the lighter escort and strong anti-aircraft defences acted as a deterrent, the fact remains that no interference was attempted at any stage. From the time the convoy left its rendezvous it had sailed almost under the shadow of the hills of Japanese-held Koiambangara and arrived at its destination not a tittle of excitement disturbed the Dominion troops on board. Inside a-de-stroyer screen a motley assortment or ships carried their quota of men and equipment. ” Capacious craft of British design carried a full complement ot vehicles and guns. These invasion ships are known as “LST,” meaning “Landing ships, tanks. Of shallow draught, they push their bows through the breakers to the beach, opening wide bow doors, and dropping huge steel ramps. Inside is a vast parking floor from which trucks and tanks can be driven ashore. They are not the last word in comfort, nor docs their appearance belie the'wisecrack name that some dispose to call them —“Large slow targets.” Maybe they are, but they pack a heavy punch as many a Japanese oomber has found. Some of the men travelled on destroyers of last-war vintage, remodelled and rechristened “ABD,” or “army personnel destrovers.” They have a better turn ot speed that the “LST” or their kindred craft “LOT” (landing craft, infantry) which also charge the beaches and land their cargo of men over steel bridges flung from the bows. Unloading on Beaches.

The absence of opposition was almost incredible. Three times air raid alerts were sounded, and in the darkness men strained their ears for the peculiar waxing a_nd waning of Japanese bomber eugines. But from above the only sound was the steady reassuring sound of friendly aircraft. To starhoard the muffled roar of explosions and flashes of fire told of air activity over the New Georgian island group, where the enemy on Kolambnngara was taking a tough aud relentless pummelling. Suspense died away as the convoy reached the benches of Vella Lavella anil the perspiring New Zealanders unboiled their weapons of war in torrid, stinking heat. _ Then, hours later, the Japs came, divebombers and fighter escorts, in the first serious raid the Now Zealand boys had experienced. If their objective was the big ships unloading on the beaches those Japanese who lived to tell the tale must have been bitterly disappointed. A hail of anti-aircraft tiro and a force of-Allied fighters tore the raiders apart a mile or so from the ships. Dive-bombers peeled off to attack a

buzzing Allied crash-boat half a mile from the shore. “Dopey Dick,” as its crew had named the launch, sent two crashing in flames and probably scored a third. Fighters accounted for the balance of seven enemy machines that never returned to their base. The rest Ued for home. The engagement was short and sharp, and its effectiveness may be judged from the fact that the enemy made no more daylight raids either that day, the next, or the day after.