Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-03-27
laps Lose 300 More
In New Suicide Attack
On BougainviIe
BY the Associated Press

~~-"S~->NN~'
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS,
Southwest Pacific, Mar. 81
japanese troops in the Solomon
Islands, isolated by Allied Bis
marck Sea successes and aban-
doned by their high command,
have spent at least 300 more lives
in another attempt to break
American defenseS at Empress
Augusta Bay, on Bougainville
Island.
An assault by Japanese on Amer
lean barbed wire and pillboxes in
the Torokina sector of the beach
head perimeter Thursday, reported
In Gen. Douglas MacArthur's COM
munique today, resulted in tenn
porary penetration. but the defend
ers pushed the Japanese back and
restored their lines less than "a
hours later.
New Attacks Hinted.
Associated Press War Correspond
ent Charles H. McMurtry said there
were indications the enemy was pre-
pairing for more such attacks, suici-
dial though they were.
AS in the enemy's previous often
sive from March to 10, in which
the Japs lost more than LOO dead,
the American casualties in the
Thursday thrust we're remarkably
low; 4 dead, Al wounded and one
missing, compared with the 300
japanese dead abandoned within
American lines.
Reports from the front said the
Japs on Bougainville are not starv-
ing, nor are they Ill clothed, poorly
equipped or running out of ammu-
milton.
Every enemy soldier killed in the
latest attack showed evidence of
excellent physical condition. All
were we'll clothed.
Nearly every one was well armed.
One American soldier said a high
percentage seemed to have machine
guns. All carried new gas masks
and each had shovel for foxhole
digging.
Japs Open Up With Artillery.
The Japanese preceded their lat
est attack with artillery fire, send
ing 10 shells into American posi-
tions. Their fire also damaged two
A l1fad oirfn1Ic
casualties.
Allied bombers and American de-
stroyers replied in support of ground
troops, damaging enemy gun posi-
tons and starting fires in Jap sup
ply areas.
In the Admiralty Islands, Amer
lean dismounted cavalrymen con-
tinued hopping up Japanese who
scattered after the fall of Lorengau
on Manus Island nine days ago, and
on Friday occupied without opposi-
ton the islets of Amo and Ndrova
off the southeast coast of Manus.
American destroyers. aiding the
mop-up process. poured broadsides
onto Pityilu Island, northwest of
Lorengau and on the northern
fringe OF Seadler Harbor, leveling
all buildings there and sinking three
harbor craft, the communique said.
Destroyers Shell Eloaue.
Elsewhere around the Bismarck
Sea, the Allies improved their in
vaslon holdings or sent naval and
air units to pound Japanese bases
and installations left almost help
less by Allied control of sea and
air lanes.
Destroyers have shelled Eloaue. a
tiny islet in the ST. Matthias group
| of the south coast of Mussau and
20 miles from newly acquired
Emlrau Island, Admiral William
Halsey's headquarters announced.
Construction activities continued
without enemy interruption on
Emirau Island in the St. Matthias
group where American marines
landed March 20.
Rabaul, New Britain. most-bombed
spot in the South Pacific, shook
under 50 tons Of bombs planted on
airdromes and supply areas Friday
by Allied bombers from Solomons
bases.
Light naval units sank a barge
filled with Jaanese troops off the
southeast coast of Garove Islands
in the Vitu group.
Fifth Army Air Force bombers
and fighters dealt a cotton bonn
harding blow at Wewak, New
Guinea, Saturday. More than 1900
tons of explosives have smashed
this coastal troop and supply base
so far this month.