Jap Artillery Busy »n Bougainville

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 60, 14 March 1944, Page 5

Jap Artillery Busy »n Bougainville

Received Monday, 9.30 p.m. SYDNEY, March 13. Tho Japanese during the week-end employed their heaviest artillery barrage of the Solomons campaign against the American beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay (Bougainville Island). The enemy barrage followed a threeday pounding of Japanese positions during which American guns fire 35,000 rounds against enemy troop concentrations. The Japanese had been gathering their strength for attacks against the American perimeter. The latest and most intense Japanese barrage displayed a marked improvement in the quality of enemy gunnery. The Torokina airfield was shelled but little damage was caused. The Japanese guns were silenced when a large num ber of Allied divebombers attacked their positions. In several weeks not a single Japanese plane has been seen over the Bougainville area. Earlier enemy infantry attacks against the American perimeter had been repulsed with sharp Japanese losses. The Tokio official radio claimed that in the attacks beginning last Wednesday the Torokina airfield had been rendered unusable by Allied planes. Cut off from further supplies the Japanese garrisons on Bougainville Island are in a desperate position. Enemy forces from other areas of the island appear to have been moved towards Empress Augusta Bay where they may be attempting to force an issue at the American beachhead. A small amphibious unit of the Pacific Fleet including a detachment oi the 22nd Marine Regiment, occupied Qotho atoll in the Marshalls without resistance, says a Pacific Fleet communique. The natives received the occupation force with a ceremony including gifts of food.