Walked Into Carefully Prepared Trap

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 208, 1 September 1942, Page 5

Walked Into Carefully Prepared Trap

Electrifying News of Australian Victory

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

Received Monday, 9.30 p.m.

SYDNEY, August 31.

The Japanese are being swept from the Milne Bay area in South-east New Guinea by a tremendous Allied drive. Some oi the remnants of the enemy force have been saved from destruction, being evacuated by naval craft under the cover of darkness. The remainder of tne iorce appears likely to be killed or captured. This electrifying news was announced to-day oy General MacArtnur's tteauquarters in a special statement. It followed within 24 hours of unofficial but autnoritative reports that reinforcements had reached the Japanese who were stated to be holding the initiative in bitter fighting. The sudden and dramatic change in the situation was revealed in a statement to war correspondents reading: “The Milne Bay area is rapidly being cleared of the enemy. Australian combat troops ably commanded by Major-General Clowes and brilliantly supported by American and Australian air units have thrown the enemy back into the narrow confines of the peninsula north of the bay where he is being rapidly reduced. His losses have been heavy. Some remnants of his force were probably saved from destruction by evacuation in naval warcraft under cover of darkness. All his supplies of equipment, including tanks, were lost. ‘‘This operation represents another phase in the pattern of the enemy’s plans to capture Port Moresby. This citadel is guarded by the natural defence line of the Owen Stanley range. The first effort was to turn its left flank from Lae and Salamaua which proved impracticable. Then they launched large convoy forces against its rear. This was repulsed by air and sea action in the Coral Sea. lie then tried to pierce the centre in a weak attempt by way of Buna, Gona and Kokoda, subjecting himself to extraordinary air losstes because of the extreme vulnerability ot his exposed position. His greatest effort was to turn the right flank by a surprise attack at Milne Bay. The move was anticipated, however, and prepared for with great care and with complete secrecy. A position was occup.cd by our forces and converted into a strongpoint and the enemy fell into the trap with disastrous results to him.”