JUNGLE MEETING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1943, Page 3

JUNGLE MEETING

A.I.F. AND AMERICANS Paratroop Landing And Capture Of Jap. Airfield N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. The American paratroops and a composite A.I.F. ground force seized the Japanese airfield in Markham Valley, near Lae. The Australians reached Markham Valley at the same time as the American paratroops and an Australian artillery unit were dropped from the air. The two forces immediately linked up and after taking possession of the airfield began to drive down the valley toward Lae, the investment of which is now complete. They have reached a point within 20 miles of Lae. The amphibious A.I.F. force which landed north of Lae on Saturday, is steadily closing in on the Japanese base and other Australian troops are approaching on the eastern flank from beyond Salamaua. Before setting out on a five-day trek through some of the worst country in New Guinea to join the American paratroops, the Australians were told they were burning their bridges behind them, that there was no going back and that casualties would have to move forward. The force, which included Pioneers, bemoaned the fact that no Japanese were met. It kept in hiding in the jungle across the river from a point chosen for the paratroop landing.

As soon as the first paratroops were dropped some Australians crossed the river in camouflaged assault boats, while others prepared a pontoon bridge to carry the main force. Swamps and kunai grass on the other side of the river were combed for Japanese, but none was found.

On the trek through the jungle the Australians carried machineguns, mortars, ammunition, engineering equipment, rubber assault boats, radio and rations. Personal equipment was cut to a minimum. Every man was a swimmer. The force was accompanied by 800 natives.

The only reporter to jump with the paratroops was Lieutenant Monte Kleban, Assistant Public Relations Officer on General Mac Arthur's staff. Describing the meeting of the two forces, Kleban says: "Through a field came the Australians, happy, carefree, tough looking, competent, with gleeful shouts. Australians and Americans ran towards one another. These strangers stood on the trail and hugged one another like longlost brothers, slapping backs and swopping smokes."

The American paratroops spent months in Australia rehearsing the landing in Mafkham Valley. They made between 20 and 30 jumps over rough country as closely as possible