JAPANESE IN RETREAT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24051, 13 September 1943, Page 5

JAPANESE IN RETREAT

Positions Outside Salamaua

SMASHING ALLIED ATTACK (Rec. 9.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept 12. A smashing attack by the Allied forces has driven the Japanese from strong positions on Scout Ridge south of their advance base at Salamaua. The Japanese are in full retreat after leaving many hundreds of dead and much equipment including artillery. Allien troops are pressln after the fleeing enemy. This important success reported in to-day’s communique from General Mac Arthur will hasten the annihilation of the doomed garrison defending Salamaua. Allied losses in the attack which was made after heavy artillery preparation were light, amounting to only a fraction of those inflicted upon the enemy. The Japanese defences in the area consisted of a series of strongly prepared positions on precipitous ■ spurs and knolls. The Japanese stronghold was encircled 11 days ago by the Americans, who made a detour through the jungle after abandoning frontal attacks. Later the Australians joined the Americans. The enemy fought bitterly but unavailingly in the battle which drove him from this stronghold. Allied forces on f.e north side of the Francisco river have made more progress and the Japanese are withdrawing towards the township of Salamaua. The forces closing in from two sides on Lae continue to develop contact with the enemy's main defensive positions. Only small sniper units, have challenged the Australian patrols which crossed the Busu river. The main body of the A.I.F. which landed on the Huon Gulf is drawn up on the eastern bank

of the riVer two miles from Malahang aerodrome, and less than four miles from Lae. The river is swollen by heavy rains, increasing the difficulty of a large-scale crossing, but this is un* likely to delay the major attack on Lae. The Allied forces driving down the Markham Valley are closing in on Heath'splantation, eight miles from Lae.

Adverse weather on Friday hampered all air operations in the southwest Pacific. In the central Solomons there was a renewal of aerial activity with attacks against Bougainville aim Kolombangara islands. Heavy units with strong fighter escort bombed Kahili aerodrome on Bougainville, starting numerous fires among grounded aircraft and fuel dumps. Building areas were heavily hit and two coastal guns were probably destroyed, A force of 33 Japanese fighters attempting interception was driven off with three shot down. Three of our fighters were lost, but two pilots wera saved. i Medium, torpedo escorted by fighters, made two strong attacks on supply areas and defensive installations at Vila on Kolombangara Island. Direct hits caused heavy damage at the aerodrome where three guns were destroyed. Many casualties were inflicted on personnel. Four barges were destroyed by sea and air, attacks.

Night reconnaissance units bombed and directly hit an enemy cargo ship off the west coast of Vella Lavella Island.

American forces repulsed an attempted enemy barge landing during the night on Arundel Island.

Trades Union Chairman, The Trades Union Congress, fay an overwhelming majority, decided to support the view that the Nazis and not the whole German people should be made responsible for the war. The congress elected Mr E. Edwards, national secretary of the Mineworkers' Federation, as the next chairman.—London. September 12.

Demand to Bulgaria.—The Ankara radio states that Allied aeroplanes have dropped leaflets on Bulgarian towns demanding Bulgaria’s unconditional surrender.—London, September 12.