BIG DEFEAT FOR JAPANESE

Southland Times, Issue 24837, 1 September 1942, Page 5

BIG DEFEAT FOR JAPANESE

ENEMY SWEPT FROM MILNE BAY AREA LOSS OF SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT (United Press Association— Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 31. The Japanese are being swept from the Milne Bay area in south-east New Guinea by a tremendous Allied drive. Some of the remnants of his force have been saved from destruction. They were evacuated by naval craft under cover of darkness. The remainder of his force appears likely to be killed or captured. This electrifying news was announced today by General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters in a special statement. It followed within 24 hours unofficial hut authoritative, reports that reinforcements had reached the Japanese, who were stated to be holding the initiative in bitter fighting. This sudden, dramatic change in the situation was revealed in a statement to war correspondents reading:— “The Milne Bay area is rapidly being cleared of the enemy. Australian combat troops, ably commanded by Major-General C. A. Clowes, D. 5.0., M.C. (formerly commander of the Corps Artillery, Australian Imperial Force) and brilliantly supported by American and Australian air units, have thrown the enemy back into the narrow confines of the peninsula north of the bay, where he is being rapidly reduced. His losses have been heavy. Some remnants of his force were probably saved from destruction by evacuation in naval warcraft under cover of darkness. All his heavy supplies and equipment, including tanks, v/ere lost. “This operation represents another phase in the pattern of the enemy’s plans to capture Port Moresby. This citadel is guarded by the natural defence line of the Owen Stanley Range. The first effort was to turn its left flank from Lae and Salamaua, which proved impracticable. Then they launched a large convoy of forces against its rear. This was repulsed by the air and sea action in the Coral Sea. He then tried to pierce the centre in a weak attempt by way of Buna, Gona and Kokoda, subjecting himself to extraordinary air losses because of the extreme vulnerability of his exposed position. His greatest effort was to turn the right flank by a surprise attack at Milne Bay. The move was anticipated, however, and prepared for with great care. With complete secrecy the position was occupied by our forces and converted into a strongpoint. The enemy fell into the trap with disastrous results to him.”

SURPRISE IN AUSTRALIA

The news of the Allies’ sweeping success came at a time when a grave view was being taken of the battle. The Sun edition which announced our success published a leading article headed “Danger Moves Closer,” commenting on the seriousness of the New Guinea situation and the vital threat offered to Port Moresby by the Japanese occupation of Milne Bay. In later editions the leading article was changed for one headed “Victory of Milne Bay. Sunday’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters, reporting the arrival of eight Japanese warships in Milne Bay, said: “Reinforcements may have been landed.” Whether the dramatic twist in the developments came as a result of subsequent events is not yet clear. However, war correspondents believe the warships arrived not to land reinforcements, but to evacuate the already beaten Japanese force. Aerial reconnaissance on Sunday revealed that the warships had left the bay. This is the first occasion on which the Japanese have evacuated troops in the Pacific war. MOPPING-UP OPERATIONS The fighting at Milne Bay is continuing, though it is believed now to have assumed the nature of . moppingup operations by the Australian troops. The full story of the Allied success is eagerly awaited here. While the deterioration in the New Guinea situation as reported on Sunday was unexpected, no less unexpected is the significant improvement reported today in all sectors. The latest communique states: “At Kokoda sporadic fighting in thick jungle country occurred on Sunday, resulting in the repulse of the enemy with heavy casualties.” Observers believe the enemy was feeling out' our positions and the casualties were proportionately rather than numerically great. At Salamaua Japanese ground activity is increasing, but the movement is believed to be confined to small groups of enemy troops and combat has not been reported. The Sun says: “Elation over the success must not be allowed to merge into that easy complacency which has followed other successes in past months. The enemy is aggressively strong. Resilient after a setback, he does not draw off and lick his wounds.” It suggested that he may seek a new point at which to strike. Tribute is widely paid to MajorGeneral Clowes, who commands the Milne Bay forces. Now 50 years of age, he gained the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross in the last war. A Duntroon graduate, he is described as “almost shy in private life, but a vigorous and efficient soldier and absolutely fearless in battle. “He

was one of the nine Australian brigadiers recalled after nearly two years’ service in the Middle East and promoted to major-general. Our new marked air superiority is recognized as a deciding factor in the Allied success. At Buna and Milne Bay great destruction has been caused enemy supplies, as well as aircraft. Bad weather allowed the original enemy convoy to reach Milne Bay without air opposition. It is believed that had conditions permitted air attacks the enemy bridgehead could not have been made. Similarly eight warships which reached the bay on Saturday night were protected by adverse weather, making air attack impossible. The sole Allied air activity reported during the past 24 hours was an attack by heavy bombers on an enemy cruiser [ and transport at Rabaul. The results [have not been observed. Two enemy | raids have been made on Darwin, but both were ineffectual, the bombs fallj ing harmlessly in the harbour and mani grove swamps. FOOD FOR_PRISONERS Japanese Refuse to Grant Safe Passage (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 The chairman of the Red Cross, Mr Norman Davis, announced that the Japanese Government had refused to grant a safe passage for a neutral ship to carry food, clothing and medical supplies to American prisoners of war in Japan. The Japanese had further declined to furnish the Red Cross with the names and addresses of prisoners. Mr Davis said the refusals violated the international treaty. The Red Cross had recently chartered the Swedish vessel Kanangoora at San Francisco, where the vessel had been awaiting sailing orders, fully loaded. PRAISE FOR U.S. PILOTS (Rec. 7 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 30. The Flying Fortress in which Lieu-tenant-General George H. Brett, commander of the Allied Air Forces in the South-West Pacific, returned to America broke all records in a transpacific flight of 36 hours 10 minutes. The plane took an active part in the Philippines campaign. General Brett, interviewed, said: “Our pilots are probably the best in the world and they have covered themselves with glory in action. I have seen them put to tests under the most terrible conditions and they came through every time with flying colours. Our flyers have shown an amazing willingness to risk their lives under the severest conditions.”