PUT TO FLIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1943, Page 3

PUT TO FLIGHT

BY NEW ZEALAND TROOPS JAPANESE ON TREASURY ISLAND. HEAVY ENEMY CASUALTIES. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) SOUTH PACIFIC, October 31. In the three days since the New Zealand and American landing on Treasury Island, Japanese opposition has been almost completely overcome. There has been very little ground fighting since Thursday, and the remnants of the enemy are now well back in the hills moving toward the northeast. The enemy casualties have not yet been counted, but are certainly very heavy, and much equipment and supplies fell to the New eZalanders, both in the occupation of Falamai vil lage and at various enemy rallying points inland. Two mountain guns, two dual-purpose artillery pieces and one 90-rrtillimeter mortar are among the major booty. Mountain guns and a mortar captured on the first day by fighting patrols after the . Japanese shelling of the beach drew attention to enemy fire positions a little more than 1000 yards away. There has been no attempt by the enemy to reinforce Treasury. The only interference to our ground troops other than on land has come from night air raids, which caused some damage along the beach lines. Day time bomber raids are non-existent because of our excellent fighter cover. There have been a few alerts, but no bombs have been dropped. The enemy tried extensive night mortar fire in addition to bombing, but with little effect. By Saturday morning New Zealand pa--trols were penetrating to all areas of the island and the situation was well in hand. A message of good wishes from New Zealand naval personnel serving in the Solomons area was received by the officer commanding the New Zealand brigade on the eve of the Treasury Island assault It came from the New Zealand naval area commander, and read: “New Zealand ships present wish all New Zealand troops success and good luck Kia Ora.” The reply from the brigadier commanding the invasion force was as

follows: “Many thanks. All ranks appreciate your message and wish you all good luck. Ake, ake, «kia kaha.” TRANSPORTS & BARGES - ASSEMBLED BY ENEMY FOR COUNTERSTROKE. SET ON FIRE BY NAVAL PLANES. SYDNEY, November 2. Ths first Japanese attempt to counter the invasion of the Treasury group in the northern Solomons was smashed from the air. An Australian war correspondent in the area reports that naval Cor- * sairs found a dozen small transports and numerous barges in Tonolei harbour, near Kahili, Bougainville, and set them on fire. On Treasury Island, the New Zealanders are still closely pursuing Japanese who are fighting a rearguard action as they move toward Malsi, the closest point to Bougainville They have to exterminate enemy suicide squads as they advance. On Choiseul, brink fighting is reported between Americans and the Japanese garrison, at Sagigai.