Evening star., 1942-03-20
Australia
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there, some $50 miles north OF Port
Moresby, apparently referred to
ground operations by the invaders,
who landed at both places March g.,
but indicated there had been no
fighting.
japanese activity In the Sala-
maua and Lac area is extensive, but
no clash has been reported" the
communique said.
The Vichy radio, quoting messages
from Toxic as its source, said two
columns of Japanese forces we're
advancing from Northeast New
Guinea toward Port Moresby.
The japanese said they had en-
countered no organized opposition
but had met with guerrilla activity.
A number Of additional ardromes
have been occupied in the vicinity OF
Salamaua, the Vichy radio added.
Children Taught Nazi Salute.
Osmar White. the Melbourne
Suns correspondent in the Papuan
area Of New Guinea, reported that
NaN-minded missionaries from Ger
man settlements around Finschafen
openly joined the japanese invad-
ers in the overland March from Lac
against Markham Valley points en-
route to Port Moresby.
He said group of Lutherans who
became naturalized Australians and
Britons after the First World War
taught native children the Nazi sa-
lutte and operated secret radio sta
tions.
II saw Nazi arm bands and pen
nants for distribution to the ma
tives for victory parade after the
expected NaN triumph he wrote,
"and large bundles Of these were
seized at the Finschafen mission
house"
Two Killed at Darwin.
A Japanese air attack yesterday
on Darwin, North Australian mill
tary and naval base, killed two per-
sons and wounded seven or eight
others, Australians said. Trif1ing
damage was reported In further
raids on Port Moresby, where one
bomber was reported heavily hit,
and in the Solomon Islands area.
In the first of their two appear
ances over Port Moresby yesterday
Japanese planes swept across the
city four times. but we're kept at
an altitude Of 10000 to $4,000 feet
by heavy anti-aircraft fire which
twice broke up the formation, the
official bulletin said.
One of the enemy bombers was
hit and apparently failed to reach
It's base," the communique added
The planes we're reported to have
caused no casualties or serious dam
age
Seven Japanese planes used hit
run tactics in the Darwin raid.
Most of the bombs in this fifth
attack on Darwin were so-called
"grasscutters," containing bits OF
bcsstle tops, razor blades and other
sharp metal fragments.
Army Officers Confer.
High ranking United States and
Australian Army officers conferred
with Australias Army Minister
Francis Forde, paving the way for
an Allied war council which will as
sumo basic control of all military
operations.
The council was expected to in
clude Gen Macarthur, the new
United Nations supreme COM
mander in the Southwest Pacific;
1t. Gen. George H. Brett. U. s. A.,
deputy supreme commander; Vice
Admiral Herbert F. Leary, chief OF
Allied naval forces in the Australia
New Zealand theater. and leaders
ct Australias fighting forces.
The Australian Army command
viii surrender many of its more
important functions under the new
setup and will become largely an
administrative organization, it was
said. Full details, however, probably
viii not be worked out until the new
Australian commander is appointed