Japs Being Wiped Out Systematically

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 209, 2 September 1942, Page 5

Japs Being Wiped Out Systematically

SURRENDER NOT EXPECTED (Special Auetralian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Sept. 1. The Japanese forces trapped In the corner of the northern peninsula of Milne Bay are being systematically exterminated by the Australian troops. High officers do not expect the surrender of the remaining enemy troops, and believe they will offer bitter resistance to the last. Commentators express surprise at the evacuation of the Japanese- forces, presumably by the enemy warships, which left the bay on Sunday, it is pointed out that Invariably Japanese military policy is to fight to the death against any odds in order to gain the objective. Some observers connect the disappearance oi the warships with the battle of the Solomons and believe tho ships may have Joined a great enemy naval concentration which will make a bid to shatter the Allied fleet and land reoccupying forces on the six islands now held by the Americans. However, whatever the reason for the Japanese departure from Milne Bay, au important strategic gain as well as a tremendous moral victory has been made by our forces. The mention of the capture of tanks Is the first official revelation that the Japanese had landed armoured fighting vehicles in New Guinea. The use of tanks emphasises that the enemy move at Milne Bay was Intended to be & major holding operation. The considerable part played by the Allied air forces in the Milne Bay oper ations is now being revealed. The Australian troops who on Sunday trudged through heavy mud and dense Jungle to the Kobule Mission, Where the enemy made his initial landing last Wednesday, found only one live Japanese. He was seriously wounded and has since died. Scores of dead Japanese were found by our advancing troops. This is evidence of the success of the continued strafing by the Kittyhawks flown by Australian pilots. The Australian land forces also found abandoned tonka which were used by the Japanese for night fighting. They protected the enemy macninc-guniiers,

who approached the Australians’ prepared positions with eaoh tank. Then the tanks turned glaring lights on our troops while the machine-guns opened fire at short range. Joy in Australia. The Milne Bay victory has been described as “sending a fierce surge of jOy throughout Australia.” The Sydney Morning Herald says; “Transcending even the relief at the removal of & new enemy threat to Port Moresby and thus to the mainland is the feeling of stern satisfaction that the measure which the Japanese, arrogant and pitiless in their conquests, nave meted out to a succession of unprepared opponents has at last been dealt out to one of their landing forces In New Guinea.” It is regarded as certain that the Japanese will throw new forces into the New Guinea struggle. Many observers suggest the present fighting in New Guinea and the Solomons throws into bold relief the need for a unified command in the South-west Pacific. Mr. Byron Barnton, the New York Times’ war correspondent, emphasises the weakness of the system under which General MacArthur and Admiral Ghormley oper ate as commanders in adjacent areas. “I do not say whether it should be General MacArthur or Admiral Ghormley who receives the unified command, but somebody should,” says Mr. Barnton. Heroio Young Airman.

Mortally wounded by shrapnel from an anti-aircraft shell which struck a Flying Fortress during the bombing of enemy ships at Milne Bay, a young bomb-aimei on his first operational flight released his stick of bombs before he fell forward over hia bomb-sight and died. The same shell wounded the navigator, but although he was suffering intense pain from his wounds he was able to guide the aircraft on its flight back to its base. The flight to which the machine belonged iost one machine, which received a direct hit by a shell. Another was riddled with holes but managed to land with a flat tyre and useless brakes and wing flaps.

The young bomb-aimer who did his job at the point of death was Sergeant E. W. Sydner, of Pennsylvania. The shell which killed him also wounded a lieutenant. The anti-aircraft fire from the enemy ships was described as terrific.

By special arrangement Reuter* 9 service. In addition to other special sources of Information, is used In tile compilation of oversea intelligence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Voniami »rp reserved.