Only Small Groups Continue Resistance At Milne Bay

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1942, Page 3

Only Small Groups Continue Resistance At Milne Bay

Further clashes take place at Kokoda. Special Australian Correspondent. Rec. 11.35 p.m. Sydney, Sept. 1. The fighting at Milne bay continues as the victorious Australian troops mop up seattered remnants of the enemy. Latest reports from General MacArthur's headquarters indicate that the struggle is no longer on a grand scale and the 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. The enemy troops landed at Milne Bay are believed to have been crack assault marines of the Imperial Navy. Although eyewitness accounts do not suggest any major battle during the brief campaign, there were several spirited local engagements. The battleground extended from the foothills of Mt. Thompson to the edge of Milne Bay. The final enemy offensive spasm occurred on Monday when several enemy fighters made a weak attack near an Allied airfield in the Milne Bay area. No damage resulted. World newspapers pay tribute to the Australians for their victory over the Japanese. They emphasise that following the heavy blow struck by the United States Marines in the Solomons, Japan 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 has again proved iri claim to aid, "not only by reason of its geographical position but also by the great performances of its fighting men." There is general belief that the Japanese will strike again and that further hard fighting in New Guinea is inevitable. Indeed, fierce clashes are now taking place in mountainous jungle country

around Kokoda, where the Japanese appear to have flung fresh troops intc action. Our fighter planes are cooperating with . Australian ground forces in this area by strafing enemy positions Allied bombers are maintairiing their hammering of Japanese bases, the latesl heavy raid being on the aerodrome al Lae, where 10 tons of bombs were dropped among grounded aircraft, buildings and installations. Five fuel dumps anc several buildings were blown up and many- grounded planes destroyed. The 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 that they were working to repair planes previously damaged on the aerodrome when our bombers struck. At Buna our heavy bombers attacked an enemy camp, starting fires and silencing an anti-aircraft position. Australia's ■ natural elation at the victory at 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 tc fear Japanese domination of the Pacific, But make no mistake— there will be greater and more critical battles than Milne Bay, and they must be won Rabaul is the key to the situation. Until the enemy is hurled from that base the South-West Pacific cannot feel secure."