JAP WITHDRAWAL IS MILITARY MYSTERY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 234, 3 October 1942, Page 5

JAP WITHDRAWAL IS MILITARY MYSTERY

NEW GUINEA FRONT

Lack Of Resistance Puzzle To Authorities Special Australian Correspondent United Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, Oct. 2. The Australian troops are continuing their advance in the Owen Stanley Range without enemy opposition, either on the ground or in the air. They are approaching Manari, an important Japanese advanced supply base, on the side of a 4600 ft ridge. It is thought strong resistance may be encountered in this area. The Australians moved cautiously yesterday through dense jungle norm of Naoro, fearing the enemy might have laid ambushes. Units on both flanks of the main striking force are still pushing forward steadily to prevent any attempted enemy counter-attack off the defined line of advance. Since the first opposition was overcome on the loribaiwi ridge the Australians have met no serious Japanese efforts to check their advance. General Mac Arthur's Headquarters describes the operations as a limited offensive."' but there is indication of restrictions placed on the Australian advance. If our troops are successful in the Manari stage of their drive thev will have surmounted the most difficult topographical obstacles to be encoun-

tered before the Kagi-Myola area. tj l ® of Hell's Gap Pass, is reached. Events during the next few days are likely to determine the outcome of the advance. Up till now the Australian casualties have been slight. Allied aircraft are considered by many observers to be winning the battle for supply" in New Guinea. Lack of supplies undoubtedly has been the paramount reason for the Japanese retirement, but the credit does not belong to the air force alone. Army engineers have done magnificent work in helping to solve the supply problems of the Australian troops. They have built new bridges across rivers and ravines, widened old tracks and improved crossings. Mr. Byron Darnton, the New York Times war correspondent, says the Japanese in the ranges are suffering from dysentery. Many enemy graves were found in the loribaiwi area. Fierce Fighting Inevitable The failure of the enemy to eontest the Allied progress is regarded as a mystery, but it is generally conceded that fierce fighting is inevitable. Experience of Japanese methods is a reliable warning against wishful visions of a triumphal nonstop advance to Kokoda. It is clear that the enemy has preferred not to risk exposing his forward troops to possible annihilation and has withdrawn Ahem into his main body, with whicn the Australians have still to make contact. The equipment abandoned by the Japanese does not include mountain artillery pieces, which apparently have been moved back to new positions. This indicates the orderly nature of the enemy retirement, which, although hasty, has certainly not been a rout.