Crushing Defeat at Empress Augusta Bay

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 61, 15 March 1944, Page 5

Crushing Defeat at Empress Augusta Bay

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) Received Tuesday, 10.5 p.m. SYDNEY, Marcli 14. Nearly a thousand Japs were killed or wounded wneu strong enemy concentrations on bunday launcaed desperate attacks against the AmerAcan oeachhead at Empress Augusta J»ay (Bougainville Island, Nortaern Solomons). Between 3uoo and 4000 Japs are toelieved to have Deeu thrown against the American perimeter. Their first assaults achieved some penetration, hut later the enemy spear - nead was cut oii and destroyed and the original def ence line reestaolisned with heavy losses to the Japs. Supporting Allied aircraft, more than 150 in number, assisted to smash the enemy concentrations and they scored damaging hits on artillery and infantry positions. About 22,000 Japs cut off from sources of supply are trapped in the Solomons. Most of the enemy troops are on Bougainville Island where they are evidently endeavouring to muster for a decisive battle with tne American invasion force at Empress Augusta Bay. The Tokio Onicial radio has claimed that two of three airstrips built by U.S. engineers at Empress Augusta Bay have been captured by the Japs. While the American troop 3in the Solomons have been repulsing enemy attacks new gains have oeen made by other U.S. forces in the Admiralty islands. Units of the First Cavalry Division on Sunday occupied two more islands of the group—Hauwei and Butjo. U.S. forces also captured Luo. A small party of Japs was wiped out on Hauwei but no opposition was encountered on Butjo or Luo. Allied aircraft, destroyers and artillery bombarded the islands before the landings. Both islands are stategically situated in the Seeadler Harbour between Los Negros and Manus Islands. Hauwei is about five miles north and Butjo and Luo three miles east of the main enemy base at Lorengau. Their occupation consolidates the American hold on Los Negros and increases the threat to Lorengau. Only a few scattered parties of Jap troops continue to hold out on Los Negros. Allied torpedo boats patrolling these waters sank three enemy barges. Rabaul (New Britain) has been hit with a further 117 tons of bombs. Six barges were destroyed and many buildings demolished, dumps blown up and fires started. South of Rabaul night air patrols sank or damaged three barges and two coastal vessels. In New Guinea Allied planes made another midday attack on Wewak, striking against Boram aerodrome with 112 tons of bombs. Large tires were started. Jap air interception was encountered but the details are not yet available. Thunderbolt fighters escorted our Liberators and Mitchell bomb ers. “Japan has lost so much shipping that she is unable to supply the garrisons in her perimeter defences,” said Rear-Admiral Sherman, the carrier warfare expert. He added: “Trying to supply her outposts by submarine would be like feeding a grown man with a teaspoon.”