New Britain Lost And Papua Menaced

Japanese Invasion Now Deep in Australia's Pacific Territories

THE Mandated Territory of New Guinea (comprising the north-east section of the main island, the big islands of New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville, and a number of smaller islands and groups) has passed out of the control of Australia, and the eastern parts are now controlled by Japanese.

Japanese have occupied Rabaul since January 23, and they appear to have landed at various other places (Kavieng, Kieta, Lorengau, Madang, Wewak); but it is not known whether they have re mained there. There probably are at least 10,000 Japanese troops in New Guinea. They occupied Gasmata (south coast of New Britain) on Feb. 10.

All European women and children were taken away in December and early January. Many European men have also escaped. (See lists of evacuees on page 37, onwards.) Others are either standing-to, as militia-men, in the few places which the Japs have not reached, or are refugees in the jungle, where they are defending and supporting themselves as best they can.

Up to this date (January 11), organised parties of refugees have been reported in the jungle west of Rabaul (from Rab aul), in the Namatanai district of New Ireland (from Kavieng), in the main land district of Upper Ramu (from Madang) and at Wau (from Lae, Sala maua and Bulolo).

These refugees now are being removed to the southwards, as opportunity occurs.

Women and children were removed from New Guinea before the Japs struck—Boo from the Rabaul area alone.

The people were picked up all over the Territory, and sent by air and sea to Australia. The evacuation, as it proved, was completed just in time.

Details of how these people are being cared for are given on page 3, while lists of evacuees are published on page 37.

IT is expected that the Japanese gradu ally will extend their hold over New Guinea, until they are in a position to launch a big-scale attack upon Port Moresby and Torres Strait, which almost certainly is their main objective in this region. (See our main article, “What is Japan Trying to Do?’’.) An attempt to invade Australia is most unlikely: but military establishments, factories and ports in Queensland, and perhaps in New South Wales, probably will be the object of sporadic raids.

This position may last for months, while the Japanese are digging in, and the Allies are slowly preparing a counter offensive which will blast them out of the North-west Pacific.

Blitz On Rabaul

IN the absence of an official narrative, and in view of the continuing and

paramount need for withholding useful information from the enemy, it is difficult to give a connected and accurate report of what has happened in New Guinea and Papua. The follow ing indicates, generally, the course of events.

January 3 —Jap reconnaissance planes flew over Rabaul and other places. Jan. 4 —jap bombers arrived about 11 a.m., bombed aerodrome, killed 12 natives and wounded 30. Others arrived at 7 p.m., and directed bombs at Talilligap aero drome, 14 miles from Rabaul. Jan. 6 Rabaul aerodrome bombed late in even ing, and our grounded aircraft were damaged. Jan. 7 —Rabaul aerodrome bombed, in morning. Jan. 16—Jap bombers attacked at 1 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., and service property was damaged.

These attacks were mostly reconnais sance. Other outlying places (Madang, Manus, Kavieng) were examined by enemy airmen, but apparently not bombed. Then came the invasion.

ON Tuesday, January 20, waves of Japanese bombers and fighters, most of them apparently from an aircraft-carrier, arrived about noon.

Rabaul and Talilligap aerodromes were systematically bombed, and service in stallations and military objectives were damaged. The attack continued all Tuesday afternoon, the Japs apparently returning to their ship for more fuel and bombs. They used carrier-planes, flying-boats and shore-based planes.

At least 100 planes were employed.

The Rabaul defences were overwhelmed.

Australian airmen attacked, very bravely, but they did not have a chance. Our anti-aircraft guns brought down three enemy machines.

Five Australian aircraft were lost, but the crew of one was saved.

During Tuesday (Jan. 20), while the sky was filled with Jap machines, Aus tralian airmen were heroic. There were all too few Australian planes, but they attacked unhesitatingly against hopeless odds. As one crew bailed out, they were machine-gunned by the Sons of Heaven.

EARLY on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 40 bombers and 20 fighters attacked Kavieng (at the northern end of New Ireland); 3 enemy aircraft attacked Madang about noon; and, a little later, about 50 bombers and fighters flew over, apparently from the northern mainland coast, and bombed and machine-gunned Lae, Bulolo and Salamaua. Lorengau (Manus) also was attacked.

There are no official reports to indi cate that the Japs, on Wednesday, 21st, continued Tuesday’s aerial attack on Rabaul—in fact, officialdom’s announce ments, in relation to times and dates, are confusing—but it is presumed that the approaching Japanese fleet did not leave Rabaul alone.

(Continued Overleaf)

Invasion Of Rabaul

ON Thursday morning, Jan. 22, two attacks (9 a.m. and 10 a.m.) were made on Rabaul by about 40 Jap. aircraft, which bombed military objec tives.

It was recognised, by then, that a Japanese invasion was pending. Mili tary personnel, equipment and supplies were removed to the westward, towards the jungle country, in the direction of Toma.

There are indications that, owing to the apparently unexpected character of the attack, any evacuation plans that had been made were useless, and a good deal of confusion ensued among the civilian population. Praise is accorded to Hon.

R. L. Clark, who, with Mr. Gordon Thomas and other commercial men, did their utmost to introduce some organisa

tion into the chaos that was developing, and secure an orderly evacuation.

At about 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 eleven Japanese ships were seen off Watom Island, approaching Rabaul from the north, 40 miles away, and at 4 p m all radio communication between Rabaul and Australia ceased—presumably be cause Rabaul was being rapidly evacu ated, and the radio station had been destroyed.

The evacuation became more rapid and more confused—it is described as every man for himself”.

With their planes flying constantly over Rabaul, the 11 Japanese ships (3 cruisers, 2 destroyers and 5 transports) came steadily southwards along the eastern coast, and by evening they had rounded Praed Point (easterly side of the entrance to Rabaul harbour) and were opposite Kokopo.

They did not immediately enter Rab aul town and harbour. Instead, they lay off Kokopo. They launched many speedy boats, each armed with machine-guns, which maintained a patrol along the shore, and any movement ashore, in vil lages or on plantations, was sprayed with machine-gun fire. This went on during the night, the ships turning their searchlights on the shore.

No “Scorched Earth” In Rabaul

WHEN the Japanese entered Rabaul port and town in force early on Friday, January 23, they found tire place practically evacuated.

The Japs also found useful stores in abundance. The military and air force destroyed whatever of their installations had been left undamaged by enemy fire.

But all the evidence available indicates that the civilians attempted no “scorched earth” policy; and Rabaul, complete with

stores and workshops, fell into their hands, practically undamaged.

A medium-sized, modern ship was lying alongside the Burns, Philp wharf, loading copra, when the Japanese attacked. She was bombed, set afire, and sank. The BP wharf and copra sheds also were destroyed, together with sev eral thousand. tons of copra.

Attack On Bulolo

WHEN the Japanese bombers flew over Bulolo, soon after noon on Wed nesday (Jan. 21) they found the Bulolo Gold Dredging Company’s three large Junkers G3l freight-carriers on the Bulolo ’drome, and destroyed all three —total loss over £200,000.

It appears that, as soon as the Japs began to enter Rabaul harbour on Fri day morning (Jan. 23) they despatched a considerable fleet of aircraft to the westwards, along the south coast of New Britain. Gasmata reported them over head at 9.10 a.m. Bulolo reported air craft overhead, and closed down, at 9.30 a.m. on January 23. The enemy evi dently was making wide reconnaissances.

Salamaua Evacuated

THE Salamaua ’drome was bombed and machine-gunned on Wednesday (Jan. 21). It was here that Kevin Parer was killed. When the raiders came, he ran out onto the ’drome, in an attempt to start up his plane and get away, and he was cut to pieces by machine-gun bullets. Practically all the planes on this ’drome were destroyed, including the fleet of Mandated Airlines Ltd. (Carpenters). Mandated Airlines saved only one small plane.

Salamaua town was not bombed by the enemy, but everything there likely to be useful was destroyed before the town was evacuated, a few hours later.

The Salamaua people mostly walked in to Wau, and were flown southwards.

Lae Smashed And Evacuated

GUINEA Airways staff at Lae had a few minutes’ warning of the com ing of the Japs on January 21, and they were able to get away four planes before the raiders arrived. Mr.

“Tommy” O’Dea, GA manager at Lae since the death of Mr. Eric Chater, escaped with the big Ford plane to Port Moresby. Guinea Airways saved two Fords, the seaplane, and the G3l—but it is not clear when the other three mach ines got away. They reached Australia, eventually, however.

Guinea Airways were under strict Commonwealth orders to get their planes away as soon as the Japs threatened.

The Japs bombed Lae aerodrome and surrounding buildings thoroughly, and then they came back at low levels and machine-gunned everything in sight.

Their attack lasted 65 minutes. Guinea Airways plant and establishment were almost completely destroyed and prac tically no buildings were left intact. The little town was evacuated and aban doned.

There were about 100 Europeans in Lae, including the Administrator and recently-transferred public servants —and they escaped the bombings by lying in slit trenches (4 ft. deep by 2 ft. wide).

Although all were evacuated, eventually, many suffered much hardship, and they —like most New Guinea residents —lost almost all their possessions. The Ad ministrator’s unhappy experience is described elsewhere.

On Saturday (Jan. 31) Jap bombers attacked Salamaua, Wau and Bulolo; but there has been no information re garding damage. This seems to have been the first attack on Wau.

Early on Sunday (Feb. 1) Wau was attacked again. There was slight dam age to property. Three were injured.

Kavieng Abandoned

IT is reported that, when the Japs bombed Kavieng on Wednesday (Jan. 21) and it was clear that an invasion was coming, a military party there “scorched the earth”.

Jap marines landed at and occupied Kavieng about Friday (Jan. 23). They destroyed all buildings still standing.

Tokio claims, however, that the Aus tralian military party left in Kavieng, under Lieutenant Dixon, surrendered to the Japanese.

SO far as is known, Wewak escaped the Jap attacks on January 20-23; but it was bombed at 10 a.m. on Mon day (26th) —with what result is not known.

An unconfirmed report on January 26 said that Japs had occupied Buka Pas sage.

It was reported on Feb. 9 that Mad ang was not occupied by Japanese, though it had been evacuated.

Raaf Hits Back

ABOUT 7 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 23) Australian planes flew over Rabaul, and discovered that there were 11 transports in the harbour, while 3 Jap cruisers, an aircraft-carrier and a des troyer, were five miles off the harbour.

During the week-end (between Jan. 23 and 26), Jap forces west and south west of Rabaul made contact with Aus tralian soldiery and militia in the jungle.

There must have been fighting—but with what result is not known.

On Saturday night (Jan. 24) Austra lian planes attacked the Jap ships in Rabaul harbour. One was hit and one Australian plane was lost.

On Monday night (Jan. 26) the RAAF

again attacked. Two Jap ships were set on fire and a third apparently hit. All our planes returned.

Australian planes attacked again on Wednesday night (Jan. 28). One ship was directly, and another probably, hit.

All our planes returned. They attacked again on Friday night (Jan. 30), and definitely hit one ship. All returned. On Tuesday night (Feb. 3) they made their fifth attack and directly hit one large shin and probably hit another. Fighters were driven off and all our planes rptnrned

Attacks On Port Moresby

AT 3 a.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 3) six Jap bombers dropped eight bombs on aerodromes and installations at Port Moresby. There was little damage. One person was killed and three in^ e< Pebruary 5, world commentators were awakening to the fact that “the position of United States-Australian

communications is extremely serious”. It was estimated that by now the Japs had 10,000 troops in Rabaul, and more else where in New Guinea, and that this invasion was designed to command Tor res Strait—which meant that Port Moresby will be attacked, The second raid on Port Moresby came very early on Thursday (Feb. 5) One attack was at 3 a.m. and one at 4 a.m.

The Japs used 4-engined flying-boats, and about 30 bombs were dropped, and various points were attacked with mach ine-guns and cannon. Some civil build ings were damaged. There were no casualties Japanese planes dropped bombs on Samarai (Eastern Papua) on Saturday (Feb. 7). There are no details. No damage is reported,

Solomon Islands

/"VN Thursday, January 22, about noon, U a single Japanese flying-boat made the first reported attack on the

Solomon Islands. It bombed and mach ine-gunned the little town of Tulagi. but it caused neither damage nor casualties,

Samarai Raided Again

JAPANESE bombers on February 11 made a second attack on Samarai Island (Eastern Papua), with results unknown. This seems to be part of a Japanese plan for developing a strong attack upon Port Moresby.

Mr. Francis C. Tracy, head of the well known Islands trading firm of F. C. Tracy & Co., Sydney, who also are agents for the BNG Trading Co. (Papua), in Aus tralia, died at his home in Chatswood, Sydney, on February 7. He was 64 years old.

A private message received in Sydney early in February from Warrant Officer E. Blood, at Wewak, NG, said he was “OK”.