Rabaul May Soon Fall Into Our Lap, says Knox

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 53, 6 March 1944, Page 5

Rabaul May Soon Fall Into Our Lap, says Knox

Not an Enemy Ship Sighted in Harb»ur (By Telegraph—Pres3 Assn.—Copyright.) Received Simday, 6.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 5. An American naval motor patrol b- at has entered the harbour of Rabaul (New Britain) and left safely aft'ir a quick reconnaissance. Revealing this, Colonel Knox said: “No enemy shipping was sighted in the harooiu and the boat was not fired on. Alliec: aircraft have encountered no anti aircraft fire over Rabaul for more than a week. This indicates the weakness of the Japanese after four weeks of concentrated air bombardment. Rabaul aaj soon fall into our lap. “The lack of Japanese ah- opposition at Rabaul and Kavieng (New Britain)’’ Colonel Knox continue!, “was probably due to the American strike at Truk and Saipan which have been the main Japanese aircraft refuelling bases in the Central Pacific. The neutalisation of Rabaul and Kavieng by Allied air and sea bombardment has been partially responsible for the ease with which General MacArthur’s forces captured the Western Admiralties.” Colonel Knox disclosed that American destroyers and patrol boats were operating at will among the islands of the Bismarck Sea. A Pacific Fleet communique states: “Army Liberators dropped approximately eight tons of bombs on runway and buildings on Ponape (Carolines) last Thursday. They attacked shipping and dock areas in Kusaie. Army Mitchells and Navy Venturas attacked two enemy-held positions in the Eastern Marshalls with 17 tons of bombs, hitting airfields and starting fires. Although some ackack was encountered all the planes returned.