SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC

Evening Star, Issue 24294, 8 September 1942, Page 3

SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC

THE NEW GUINEA AREA ALLIED AIR SUPERIORITY (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust, Correspondent) SYDNEY, September 7. The Allied Air Force continues to exploit its air superiority in the New Guinea area, and the latest communique from General MarArtlmr’s headquarters reports further co-opera-tion by fighter units with our ground forces in the Kokoda sector. Yesterday three bombing and strafing attacks wore made on the enemy’s advanced positions. No ground activity in this area has been reported for some days, and it is believed that the Japanese have temporarily ceased, their efforts to press on towards the Kokoda gap, the 7,000 ft pass to Port Moresby, across the Owen Stanley Range. The Japanese have, however, been moving supplies from their coastal base at Buna to Kokoda. JAPANESE INACTIVITY. The period of Japanese air inactivity is now entering its second week. Enemy bombers have not raided any Allied base, and there has been ko recent attempt at fighter interception of our raiding aircraft. To-day’s communique reports that our heavy bombers made an attack on an enemy cargo vessel in South-east New Guinea waters. News of this attack follows the week-end announcement of the bombing of a Japanese cruiser in the same area. The results of the bombing were not observed, and no explanation has been offered of the presence of an enemy warship and a freighter in this area. Milne Bay was not mentioned in to-day’s communique, but a headquartoi's’ spokesman stated that the mop-ping-np operations in the'area were proceeding. Observers believe that the_ present lull in the Kokoda land fighting may be short-lived, and the moving of Japanese strength from other theatres is considered likely to portend ominous events in the South Pacific, as well as elsewhere. STUBBORN FIGHTERS. Meanwhile Australian war correspondents emphasise the quality of the Japanese troops who are opposing the Australians at Kokoda. Veterans of the Middle East campaigns say that the Japanese are “ far more robot-like than, the destiny-seeking Gormans.” They show complete disregard for death, and are willing to endure any privations. They attack at night, and prefer to move in heavy rain, which muffles noise. The enduring, fanatical patience of the enemy is shown 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 close jungle frequently occurred at 10yds range. Sometimes the Australians made sorties under cover of machine-gun fire to clear out the hidden enemy. Soldiers who have returned from the Kokoda front emphasise that the Japanese have been beaten and can be beaten, but easy optimism when opposing them is always dangerous and often fatal.

MAKIN ISLAND RAID THE JAPANESE VERSION NEW. YORK, Sept. 6. The Tokio official radio, giving its: version of the recent American raid on Makiu Island, said that two submarines landed 200 troops at nighttime. Later another force landed at the Japanese rear, but over 50 per cent, of the entire invading force was wiped out. Lieutenant-colonel Carlson, the marine commander, previously reported that all hut two of 360 Japanese at Makin wiwe killed, and that the enemy lost 10 men for each American lost. RAID ON GUADALCANAL THREE ENEMY PLANES DOWNED (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 7. A United States Navy Department communique states: Shortly after noon on Saturday 26 Japanese bombers, escorted by 20 Zeros, attacked our positions on Guadalcanal and inflicted, minor damage. Our fighters intercepted the attack and shot down two enemy bombers and one fighter. VICHY’S TERROR CAMPAIGN PERSECUTION OF FRENCH JEWS (Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 7. Reuter’s correspondent on the French frontier says Vichy’s campaign of terror against French Jews has resulted in '.violent resentment in unoccupied Prance. There have been mass arrests in Marseilles, Nice, Lyons, Toulouse, and nine other towns. Vichy is no longer able to call those arrested Communists, for they include peasants, intellectuals, and! distinguished Catholics. Women and children residing in the vicinity of some of the concentration camps have visited relatives. They were not permitted to leave, but were deported without preparation. Babies of less than two years were kept in France and sent to communal centres. Slightly older children were sent to “ houses of correction.”

CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE TRADES COUNCIL CONGRESS TD DISCUSS SECOND FRONT (Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 7. Seven hundred delegates, representing 230 unions and 5,500,000 members, are attending the Trade Union Council Congress. The most controversial issue is expected to be immediacy of a second front. The General Council’s resolution pledges full support “ as soon as the competent authorities decide the time is ripe,” but some delegates are pledged to press for a second front immediately.