February 6

Great Base At

Manus

Last Jap Mopped-up On February 6

rE last Japs in the Admiralty Islands (otherwise, the Manus district of the Mandated Territory, north of the mainland of New Guinea) were cleared out op February 6, 1945, in the Mount Dremsoll area, on the central south coast of the big island of Manus. Thus ended operations which lasted almost exactly one year.

A United States expedition, with power ful air and sea support, first attacked the Japs in the Admiralties, at Hyane Har bour, south-eastern tip of Negros Island, opposite the Manus port of Lorengau, on February 29, 1944. The USA First Cavalry Division supplied the attacking force, and its objective was the Momete air-strip, on Negros Island.

The operation was intended as a re connaissance in force, but the attackers did not meet much opposition, and quickly took the air-strip; and when General MacArthur came ashore he decided to hold on. On March 1 and 2, the Japa nese attacked in force, and tried infiltra tion. The fighting was bitter, and it was touch-and-go for a while. The Americans were driven back from the air-strip, but recovered it a couple of days later.

Reinforced, the attackers on March 8 went on through to Makaring and Salami; established a beach-head at Salami; and then LST’s came in through the harbour, and ran right up on to the beach, and landed reinforcements.

From that time onwards, the Ameri cans, with some Australian assistance, extended their hold over the whole of the Admiralty Islands. The Australians had a good deal to do with the occupation of the outlying islands—they found Japs everywhere, and the mopping-up opera tions extended over many months.

The original party of Australians who went in with the Americans, as guides and to assist in administration, were from ANGAU, and comprised Major J. K.

McCarthy, Captain I. Hoggard, W.arrant- Officers (now Lieutenants) A. L. Robinson and R. J. Booker. Hoggard received the American Bronze Star for his share in the operation, and both Robinson and Booker got the DCM. Other ANGAU men who came in shortly after were Lieuten ant A. J. Corliss and Warrant-Officer R.

G. G. Allen, both of whom received Bronze Stars. rOUSANDS of American Seabees, working day and night, have estab lished in this area (Negros Island- Lorehgau) one of the biggest bases for sea-planes, land-planes and naval-craft in the South Pacific. There are roads everywhere; it is a clearing centre for much cross-Pacific air and sea traffic; and there is all sorts of accommodation for big ships.

A bridge has been erected across Loniu Passage, between Negros and Manus, and motor traffic runs now from Negros to Lorengau. The Lorengau River has been harnessed, to supply water and hydro electric power and light to all the great establishments round about. There are, playing-fields, cinemas, swimming baths— even a Coco-Cola factory.

The Rev. Titus Rees, of the Anglican Mission, has arrived in Fiji and has taken charge of Lautoka. This centre has a population of about 15,000, mostly Indians. Mrs. Titus Rees and their three young children sailed from Sydney early in March to join him.