Evening star., 1943-07-19
Americans Halt Japs
Latest Move 10 Aid
Garrison at Munda
Destroyer Thought Sunk
In Heavy Attacks
On Supply Trains
e' the Associated Press

EH the Associated Press
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC.
July l9-Allied airplanes and
surface ships battered japanese
shipping in the Solomon Islands
over the week end as American
troops increased their pressure
on Munda with attacks on enemy
positions near that key air base.
United States warships beat back
two more japanese attempts to run
supplies to the besieged Munda gar
rison on New Georgia Two de-
stroyer flotillas, the first of three
ships, the second Of six. were inter-
cepted west of Kolombangara Is
land and forced to retreat north
ward. One destroyer was believed
to have been sunk and hits were
scored on three others.
A powerful aerial force, described
by spokesman as almost as strong
as the 20O-plane armada which
sank seven japanese ships and shot
down 40 planes in the Bum -Faisi
area Saturday, struck again at the
remnants of enemy shipping in that
harbor and pounded the nearby
kahill airdrome. Thirteen Zeros
were shot down. A cargo ship was
sunk and two destroyers and an
other merchantmen were damaged.
Four Planes Lost.
The raid was made bv fOur-en-
glned Llberators and torpedo and
dive bombers with a strong fighter
escort, Four American planes failed
to return.
Allied planes scored another VIC
, tory over New Guinea yesterday.
Greatly outnumbered. fighters slam
med into formation of so enemy
aircraft, Shot down two fighters.
probably destroyed four others and
damaged two more-all without loss
to themselves.
Sharp patrol clashes were report
ed from the Salamaua sector Aus
tralian jungle fighters captured jap
anese positions near Mount Tambu
and Orodubi. japanese counterat-
tacks were repulsed The ground &C
ton was supported by bombers and
fighters which skinned the treetops,
plnnlng the japanese to their holes
in the jungle.
Official reports from Admiral Will
nam F. HalSey'S command gave few
details about the progress of the
oattle tor Munda. But today was
the first time that the communiuue
from Gen. Douglas MacArthur's
headquarters had mentioned Ameri-
can grounds forces attacking the air
drome area.
The Americans. late reports said,
were advancing despite heavy rains
which have turned the jungle battle
area into bogs in which even heavy
duty tractors scarcely are able to
move. The japanese are using their
usual jungle tactics at Munda-in-
cesSant inflltration at night by small
patrols armed with automatic weap-
onS, f1recrackers and other noise
making devices. The enemy is TAX
ing few American lives but his ac-
tlvitles make sleep and rest almost
impossible
Supply Attempts Fail.
American warships and planes
have beaten off all Japanese at
tempts to bring reinforcements to
Munda, but the enemy. using sup
plies and equipment accumulated
there during the last year. shows no
sign of collapsing.
In the latest attempts to supply
Munda, the Japanese sent three de-
stroyers southwark Friday. Ameri-
can warships challenged them off
kolombangara late that night and
scored hits on all three. One was
believed to have sunk. Early YES
terday six more Japanese destroyers,
apparently heading for New Georgia,
were met by light American surface
! craft IN the same waters. A tor
pedo hit was made on one DESTROYER
and the enemy broke eff the engage
ment.
Action elsewhere was light yester-
day. ~, Lautem and Kaukenau
(See PACIFIC. Page A-lD