ANOTHER ISLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1943, Page 3

ANOTHER ISLAND

OCCUPIED BY AMERICANS IN SOLOMONS RING ROUND KOLOMBANGARA TIGHTENED. COSTLY JAPANESE EFFORTS. SYDNEY, August 30. American forces have made an unopposed landing on Arundel Island, in Kula Gulf, between New Georgia and Koiombangara, in the central Solomons. ‘The occupation of Arundel Island is reported in General MacArthur’s latest communique, which adds that our forces are consolidating. This latest move links with the recent occupation of Vella Lavella Island, possibly to take the Japanese garrison on Koiombangara in the jaws of a pincer movement.

War correspondents estimate that there are several thousand enemy troops on Koiombangara, and the occupation of Arundel Island tightens the Allied net of encirclement round them. In attempts, either to get supplies to their beleaguered garrison, or to evacuate Koiombangara, the Japanese must run a vigilant American naval blockade which so far has cost them several warships and supply vessels and a large number of barges.

STRONG AIR ATTACKS “ON"ENEMY NEW GUINEA' BASES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, August 30. for the second time in four days, General MacArthur’s bombers have made a smashing raid on Hansa Bay, the important feeder port half-way between Madang and Wewak, through which the Japanese have been attempting to get stores and equipment to the south. The whole waterfront area was heavily attacked. Reporting the result of this aerial assault, General MacArthur’s communique says that a 2000-ton vessel, a patrol-boat, and 31 barges and luggers were destroyed. Numerous fires, which were visible 60 miles away with, smoke rising to 4000 ft., were started in fuel and ammunition dumps. Bivouac and anti-aircraft positions at Nubia Awar plantation were heavily attacked. There was no air interception. One of our planes was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Strong attacks on Lae and on barge hide-outs in the Salamaua area were also reported. Heavy bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked the waterfront area at Voco Point, at Lae, with 29 tons of explosives, destroying three jetties and 20 barges. There were large explosions and fires were started. There was no air interception. In Vitiaz Strait, between New Guinea and New Britain, on the enemy’s supply route, six other barges were destroyed near Long Island, while to the north-east, in the Kavieng sector of New Ireland, one of our heavy reconnaissance bombers attacked and damaged a 7000-ton freighter-transport. A small freighter and a number of barges have been destroyed or damaged in various parts of the Solomons. In all, more than 60 Japanese luggers or barges have been destroyed, or probably destroyed, by Allied air attack in the past 24 hours. Many of. these barges are sizeable craft, wellpowered and carrying light anti-air-craft protection. Some are equipped for carrying troops and others for carrying oil or other stores.