Japanese Expected to Strike Again

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 2 September 1942, Page 5

Japanese Expected to Strike Again

Sydney, Sept. 1. Fighting at Milne Bay continues as the victorious Australian troops mop up the scattered remnants of the enemy. Latest reports from General MacArthur’s headquarters indicate that the struggle is no longer on a grand scale and clashes involve only small groups of Japanese. Because of the dense jungle country in which the abandoned Japanese are hiding some time may elapse before the last of them are cleaned out. Enemy troops landed at Milne Bay are believed to have been crack assault marines of the Imperial Navy. Although accounts by eye-witnesses do not suggest any major battle during the brief campaign, there were several spirited local engagements. The battle-ground extended from the foothills of Mount Thompson to the edge of Milne Bay. The final enemy offensive spasm occurred on Monday when several enemy fighters made a weak attack near the Allied airfield in the Milne Bay area. No damage resulted.

Newspapers throughout the world pay tribute to the Australians for their victory over the Japanese. They emphasise that following the heavy blow struck by United States marines in the Solomon Islands Japan has lost face twice in a short period. Government sources at Washington praise “the grim Australian legions whose courage and tenacity in beating back the Japanese Milne Bay invaders are an inspiration.” The London “Evening Standard” says the South-West Pacific again proved its claim to aid “not only by reason of its geographical position but also by the great performances of its fighting men.” There is a general belief that the Japanese will strike again and that farther hard fighting in New Guinea is inevitable. Indeed, fierce clashes are now taking place in the mountainous jungle country around Kokoda where the Japanese appear to have flung fresh troops into action.

Our fighter planes are co-operating with the Australian ground forces in this area by strafing enemy positions. Allied bombers are maintaining their hammering of Japanese bases, the latest heavy raid being on the aerodrome at Lae. where ten tons of bombs were dropped among grounded aircraft, buildings and installations. Five fuel dumps and several buildings were blown up and many grounded planes destroyed. Fires started in the raid, which caught the enemy by surprise, could be seen 30 miles away. No interception was attempted by the Japanese. It is thought they were working to repair the planes previously damaged on the aerodrome when our bombers struck. ENEMY CAMP BOMBED At Buna our heavy bombers attacked an enemy camp, starting fires and silencing an anti-aircraft position. Australia’s natural elation at the victory of Milne Bay is well expressed by the Sydney “Sun,” which says: “Not in this area alone will its effects add strength to the arms of the United Nations. The victory of our jungle fighters will surely reverberate throughout China and India and its tonic effect will hearten and inspire every country which had reason to fear Japanese domination of the Pacific. But make no mistake there will be greater and more critical battles than that of Milne Bay and they must be won. Rabaul is the key to the situation, and until the enemy is hurled from that base the South-West Pacific cannot feel secure.” P A. special Australian correspondent.