Ambush Prepared, Troops Surrounded And All Tanks Lost

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1942, Page 3

Ambush Prepared, Troops Surrounded And All Tanks Lost

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

Special Australian Correspondent.

Australian and American forces spring surprise on New Guinea invaders.

Rec. 11.30 p.m. Sydney, Aug. 31. »JHE Japanese are being swept from the Milne Bay area, southeast New Guinea, by a tremendous Allied drive. Some remnants of the force have been saved from the destruction. They were evacuated by naval craft under cover of darkness. The remainder of the force appears likely to be killed or captured. This electrifying news was announced to-day by General Douglas MacArthur's headquarters in a special statement. It followed within 24 hours unofficial but 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 Clowes 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 by naval warcraft under the cover of darkness. All his heavy supplies and equipment, including tanks, were 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 he launched a large convoy of forces against its rear. This was repulsed by air and sea action in the Coral Sea. He then tried to pierce the centre in a weak attempt by way of Buna, Goona 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."

The hews of the sweeping Allied success came at a time when a grave view was being taken of the battle. The Sydney Sun edition which announced the success published a leading article headed: "Danger Moves Closer," commenting on the seriousness of the New Guinea Eituation 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 "The Victory of Milne Bay." Sunday's - communique from General MacArthur's headquarters reporting the arrival of eight Japanese warships at Milne Bay said: "Reinforcements may have been landed." Whether the dramatic twist in 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. , First Evacuation. This is the first occasion when the Japanese have evacuated troops in the Pacific war. Fighting in Milne Bay continues, though it is believed now to have assumed the nature of mopping up operations by the Australian troops. The full story of the Allied success is eagerly awaited here. While the deterioration of the New Guinea situation reported on Sunday was unexpected, no less unexpected is the significant improvement reported to-day in all sectors. The latest communique states: "At Kokoda, sporadic fighting in thick jungle country occurred on Simday, resulting in the repulse of the enemy with heavy casualties." Observers believe the enemy was feeling out our positions and casualties were proportionately rather than numerically

greate. At Salamaua the 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 warns: "Elation over the success must not be allowed to merge into that easy complacency which has followed other successes in the past months. The enemy is aggressively strong and reGilient. After a setback he does not draw off and lick his wounds." It is suggested he may seek a new point at whieh to strike. Tribute is widely paid to MajorGeneral C. A. . Clowes, who commands. the Milne Bay forces. He is now 50. He gained the D.S.O. and the M.C. 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 nine Australian brigadiers recalled after nearly two years of service in the Middle East and was promoted major-general. Our new marked air superiority is recognised as a deciding factor in the Allied success at Buna and Milne Bay. Great destruction has been caused to enemy supplies, as well as to aircraft. Bad weather allowed the original enemy convoy to reach Milne Bay without air opposition, but it is believed that, had conditions permitted air attacks, the enemy bridgehead could not have ' been made. Similarly the 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 were not observed. Two enemy raids have been made on Darwin, but both were ineffectual, the bombs falling harmlessly in the harbour and in mangrove swamps.