FURTHER LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1942, Page 3

FURTHER LOSSES

» . SUFFERED BY JAPANESE IN NEW GUINEA FORCE HOPELESSLY TRAPPED. ALLIED ADVANCE ON WAIROPI. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, November 13. Hopelessly trapped between two forces which closed on them rerentlessly the beaten Japanese on the north Papuan trail between Oivi and Gorari failed to fight their way out and have suffered further heavy casualties. The Australians took prisoners and equipment, including field guns. Some horses were also captured. With the Oivi-Gorari area now cleared of the enemy, the two Australian forces are believed to have merged again and the general advance toward Wairopi, 11 trail miles from Gorari continues. It is not thought that many of the Japanese force succeeded in escaping to the north through the rugged Hamaba Hills, beyond which lies New Guinea’s worst malarial country. Some commentators say Buna itself is the objective of the American force now southeast of this Japanese north-Papuan bridgehead. A strong enemy force is evidently in this sector and stubborn fighting may be expected if battle is joined here. Allied aircraft maintain unflagging attacks on the enemy’s rear areas near the Buna bridgehead. Today’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters includes a belated report of Allied air attacks made on November 11 on the frequently bombed Japaneseoccupied Timor villages of Bobonaro and Moabisse. HEAVY DAMAGE DONE TO JAPANESE SHIPS. CONCENTRATED IN SOLOMONS AREA. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, November 13. Evidence that the Japanese are planning an early move in the Solomons is to be found in today's communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters. Four Japanese transports loaded with troops and equipment were hit when Flying Fortresses made a dawn bombing attack on enemy naval concentrations in the Buin-Faisi area on Thursday. Enemy losses are believed to have been heavy. The aggregate tonnage of the vessels is estimated at! 37,000, the ships being 12,000, 10,000, 8000 and 7000 tons respectively. One ship may have been hit in an earlier raid on Wednesday morning. Observers here affirm that the concentration was about to be used in the Solomons battle. The attack on the enemy ships was preceded by' a raid on the enemy aerodrome at Buin by Catalina flying boats. Severe damage is believed to have been caused to enemy grounded aircraft and installations. Eight fires were started.