OWEN STANLEY RANGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 15 October 1942, Page 5

OWEN STANLEY RANGE

JAPANESE POSITIONS PENETRATED AUSTRALIANS CONTINL L ADVANCE (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) Sydney, Oct. 14. Australian troops have penetrat--1 ed Japanese positions astride the Owen Stanley trail south of Temj pleton’s Crossing, just past the | summit of the ranges. They are j still driving oil. The strength of the enemy forces in the area has not been announced. Skirmishes in which tommygun fire was exchanged occurred after the opposing patrols had stalked each other on Monday. It was reported to-day that determined frontal and flank actions finally drove the Japanese from their fox holes, trenches and machine-gun posts and that the Australians are now approaching Templeton’s Crossing, which is on the edge of the northern slopes of the ranges at the junction of the alternative trails through Kagi and Myola (both already in the hands of our forces).

I The latest report that the Australian advance is continuing encourages the belief that further good news from the New Guinea front may be expected. Most war commentators believe that once Templeton's Crossing is passed the Japanese are unlikely to offer strong resistance until Kokoda is reached at the foot of the ranges—a drop of 5000 feet down the 12-mile trail. No estimate has been given of the number of casualties inflicted on the Japanese, but Australian losses during the whole advance are stated to have been light. More men have been brought back to hospital suffering from tropical diseases than from wounds. — P.A. Special Australian Correspondent. HEAVY AIR LOSSES JAPANESE IN THE SOLOMONS i INFERIOR TYPES OF MACHINES IN USE Washington, Oct. 13. Rear-Admiral McCain, who has just returned from the Solomons area, said in one period. 21st August to 17th September, the Japanese lost 133 planes over Guadalcanar Island to 25 American planes. Rear-Admiral McCain himself commanded the air scouting and striking forces other than carrier-based planes in the Solomons area. His headquarters were on Espiritu Santo Island, in the New Hebrides, 565 miles from Guadalcanar. Rear-Admiral McCain made two trips to Guadalcanar. He said there was evidence that the Japanese were actually declining in aerial strength in the Solomons. He instanced the inferior types of planes now being used by the Japanese and their slowness in replacing losses. Some biplanes and seaplanes used by the Japanese could never have been used unless the enemy was entirely regardless of human life or was running short of equipment. During a raid on J 13th September several Japanese bomb--1 ers and fighters were shot clown. Examination of these planes showed they were absolutely new and just off the assembly lines. The lacquer covering looked as if it had been clone only a J few hours before. Rubber gaskets, j which deteriorate quickly in the tropics. 1 were not at all worn or cracked. But. Rear-Admiral McCain added. "these things might indicate that the enemy is getting short of planes but I would not count on it.” Asked about the effectiveness of American air attacks on Japanese bases in the north-western Solomons. Rear-Ad-miral McCain replied that, he thought the enemy's seaplane base at Rekata Bay, on Santa Isabel Island, was rendered untenable and the enemy base at Gizo definitely untenable. Asked whether the Japanese had been

able to land heavy reinforcements on Guadalcanar, particularly artillery units, he replied. "The Japanese had put in nothing heavy in there up to the time I left.”—P.A. MISSIONARIES MURDERED BAYONETED BY JAPANESE Rllgby, Oct. 13. New s has been received in London that Fathers Henry Engeberink and Arthur Duliamel and Sisters Sylvia and Odatya, of the Marist Mission in Guadalcanar have been murdered by Japanese soldiers. Their bodies were found at Tasimbok, Guadalcanar. They had all been bayoneted in the throat. A third. Sister Edmet escaped.—B.O.W. ANOTHER RAID ON KISKA FIRES STARTED AND SHIPS DAMAGED Washington, Oct. 14. Flying Fortress and Liberator heavy bombers, escorted by Lockheed. Lightning, Bell and Airacobra fighters successfully raided Japanese ships and shore installations at Kiska, reports a Navy Department communique. Fires were observed ashore. Damage is reported on ships in the harbour. Only moderate anti-aircraft fire was encountered and no hostile planes were observed in the air. Although receivmg minor damage all our planes re j turned.—P.A. ' I