STRUCK BY ALLIES IN SOLOMONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 August 1942, Page 3

STRUCK BY ALLIES IN SOLOMONS

Japanese Landing in South-East New Guinea MET PROMPTLY BY LAND AND AIR FORCES ENEMY HEAVY CRUISER AND TRANSPORT SUNK LONDON, August 27. In Washington today the Pacific War Council received an up-to-date report on the Solomon Islands battle from President .'Roosevelt. Mr Peter Fraser, Prime Minister of New Zealand, was present. ■ A new Japanese landing on the south-east coast of New Guinea has been met by strong Allied air attacks. Details of the land fighting are not yet available, but it is known that Allied troops are now at grips with the enemy. One correspondent says the Japanese may be trying to outflank the mountain range which separates Port Moresby from the enemy bashes on the north coast. During’ the first day’s operations in the new battle area, Allied planes put up a continuous barrage against Japanese troop concentration:;, invasion barges, stores and petrol dumps. “The attempted counter-invasion by the Japanese of the American-held islands of the Solomons will be thwarted, in the opinion of observers in Australia, reviewing the progress of the battle,” stated the special Australian correspondent of the Press Association yesterday. The latest news of the battle suggests that the Allied forces have the distinct upper hand. It is possible that major units of the enemy invasion fleet have already been forced to retire, leaving smaller vessels attempting to carry on. The Flying Fortresses as well as the carrier-based aircraft have dealt staggering blows at the strong. Japanese striking force.” It was disclosed last night that a new battle is raging in the south-eastern corner of New Guinea, where a Japanese force has made a landing. A communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters said that the landing', which was made in Milne Bay (the deep indentation north of Samarai) was anticipated and resisted by Allied troops. Fighting was continuing. Allied planes battered the invading force both before and after the landing, and sank a transport and a heavy cruiser, probably sank a cruiser, and damaged a destroyer. One Allied plane was lost.' During the landing’ bombei’s blasted Japanese barges.