JUNGLE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 May 1943, Page 3

JUNGLE FIGHTING

JAPANESE OUTCLASSED BY AUSTRALIANS OPERATIONS IN NEW GUINEA. PRELIMINARY TO ATTACK ON SALAMAUA. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, M.w IL Australian troops operating in. the Mubo area in northern New Guinea, are much more skilful jungle fighters than the Japanese. To date, the Australians have soundly beaten the Japanese in every patrol skirmish that has taken place in the area. The latest of these, which was reported in General MacArthur's communique today, occurred when enemy forces attempted to attack our positions south of Green's Hill. They were .repulsed, but the communique gives no further details of the action. Considerable skirmishing has taken place in this area.

“At least 10 Japanese are killed for every Australian,” declared one soldier who has just returned from the sector. “The Digger is now a much better bushman than the Japanese,” he said. Australian patrols operating round Mubo travel light. No blankets are carried and the men sleep in the bitterly cold nights covered only by a groundsheet. One feature of the patrolling work in which the Australians have become expert is that of ambushes. The Japanese have thus been forced aways to reconnoitres in strength. In three days during the past week, about 50 Japanese were killed in successful ambushes, and many more were wounded.

Skirmishing clashes are certain to become more frequent now that the Australian occupation of Bobdubi offers a definite threat to the enemy’ supply line to his forward' troops round Mubo. The map shows that the Australians are within three air miles of the important enemy base of Salamaua, but no map conveys an adequate idea of the terrain. “When the time comes for an offensive to be launched against this Japanese base,” writes a war correspondent from New Guinea, “it will be the beginning of a campaign in which the country, with its. ridges, gorges, swamps, and eight known streams, will prevent any frontal attack. It will be fought on tougher ground than any our troops saw in the Buna area.’’

BATTLE AT ODDS SPITFIRES HEAVILY DEFEAT ZEROS. DAMAGING RAID MADE. ON BABO. SYDNEY, May 11. Five Spitfires and one Beaufighter shot out of action three of nine Japanese fighters which made a fresh attack on the new Allied airstrip at Millingimbi Island, 300 miles east of Darwin yesterday morning. They damaged two others. One Spitfire was lost, but the pilot is safe. This second enemy attack on Millingimbi (the first was on Sunday) is reported in General MacArthur’s communique today.

The Spitfires were forced to go into action while actually making height, putting them under a great disadvantage, so that their performance in driving off the raiders is regarded as a distinct achievement. Only slight damage was caused when the airstrip was strafed by Zeros.

A few hours later, three Zeros ineffectually attacked an Allied convoy off the coast in the same area. They were driven off by the ships’ antiaircraft fire. One Zero was damaged. In a daring night sweep on Babo. the important enemy base in Dutch New Guinea, Catalinas bombed the wharf and aerodrome areas to such good effect that on the airfield alone 20 spearate fires believed to be blazing planes were caused. Fires started when oil tanks were hit were visible 80 miles away. One explosion shook Catalinas flying at 6000 ft. The damage is believed to have been considerable. On the way home, after their long round-trip flight from their base, the Catalinas strafed the enemy base at Dobo and a coastal vessel off Kaimana. Today's communique from the SouthWest Pacific headquarters also reports a number of attacks by our heavy bombers on armed reconnaissance. Four Japanese planes raided Allied positions at Milne Bay and Mappi Post in New Guinea, but did no damage. JAPANESE BASES BOMBED BY AMERICAN AIRCRAFT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.48 a.m.) RUGBY. May 11. The United States Navy Department states: “In the Pacific on May 10, a force of Dauntlesses and Avengers, escorted by Corsairs, Wildcats and Lightnings, attacked Japanese installations at Munda. Hits were scored on enemy positions and several fires were started. Similar attacks were made on Japanese positions at Vanga Vanga, on the south-west coast of Kolombangara Island. All the United States planes returned safely.