HEAVIER AIR ATTACKS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 196, 17 May 1944, Page 7

HEAVIER AIR ATTACKS

Japanese Bases In Dutch New Guinea (By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received May 16, 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 16. Allied aerial blows against Japanese bases in Dutch New Guinea are being intensified. Since the American landings at Hollnndia on April 22 Allied bombers and warships have maintained attacks against these positions. General MacArthur’s communique today reports that Wadke Island and Maflin Bay. 110 miles west of Hollnndia, were heavily pounded by Allied aircraft on Sunday. Liberators and Mitchells dropped 220 tons of explosives, causing extensive damage to bivouac and supply areas. This was the fourth successive day on which Wadke has been heavily raided. More than 1000 tons of bombs have been delivered in four strikes. The Wadke area, including the New Guinea mainland port of Sarmi, on Maflin Bay, was lightly defended, but it was an important Japanese staging base before the American occupation of Hollnndia. Since then it has been organized into a powerfully defended military area. Motor roads have been constructed and barge hide-outs are believed to be provided by four rivers along the beach. Harmless Enemy Raid.

Six Japanese planes raided American positions at Hollnndia before dawn on Saturday, dropping four bombs at Hollandia and three at Tanahmerah, without causing damage or casualties. Meanwhile, Allied planes continue to bomb and strafe the British New Guinea coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay. Thousands of Japanese trapped in this area are in a hopeless position. With the .Allies holding undisputed sea and air control, the trapped enemy troops must fight or lie starved to death. For several days Allied pilots reported desperate Japanese efforts to lay new landing tracks for heavy transport planes at B’oram airstrip at Wewak. These tracks were presumably meant for use b.v evacuation planes. Allied bombers waited till the work was nearing completion, , and then made an obliterating attack on the new strips. Australian troops driving from Alexishafen, 185 miles south-east of Wewak, arc now halfway to Hansa Bay, having traversed -10 miles of coastal track. They are nearing Bunabun, formerly an important staging base for Japanese barge traffic. Bunabun has a moderate liarhour. The Australian advance has isolated and cut off from the mainland any Japanese troops on Karkar Island. 12 miles off the coast from Capo Croiselles. Other activities reported by General MacArthur’s communique today included a further strike by Solomons-based planes ngainst supply areas at Rabaul, New Britain. At least 20 dumps are claimed to have been destroyed.