IN STRONG FORCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1942, Page 3

IN STRONG FORCE

THE ENEMY LANDINGS IN NEW GUINEA AUSTRAILAN PLANES ATTACK CONVOYS. DIRECT HITS IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, March 9. A communique issued from Canberra states that early yesterday morning enemy naval forces and transports appeared off Salamaua, on the coast of Nev/ Guinea due north of Port Moresby, and landings were made of a considerable number of troops in boats covered by a force of cruisers and destroyers. Soon afterward a similar enemy force made a. landing 30 miles further north at Lae, the Australian New Guinea capital, where cruisers which were covering the landing shelled the township. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says that both towns were evacuated and the scorched-earth policy applied some days before the invasion. Planes of the Royal Australian Air Force have lost no time in striking back at the invaders. Canberra announced that planes made a low-flying attack against the enemy’s ships, and early reports show that in spite of anti-aircraft fire ’ and poor visibility direct hits were scored. Enemy planes tried unsuccessfully to intercept, and all the Autralians returned to their base. MANY AIR BASES NOW IN ENEMY HANDS. SYDNEY, March 8. The Japanese invasion forces in New Guinea are reported to have come from Rabaul, where concentrations of warships and transports had been observed by the R.A.A.F. in the last few days. The enemy forces are now based 175 miles north of Port Moresby. It is considered there is no imminent possibility of a land attack against Port Moresby, but it is certain that Salamaua will be used as a Japanese base from which to bomb Port Moresby. The possession of Salamaua gives the Japanese control of the Markham Valley, which contains a number of aerodromes.