MAY FALL SOON

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 304, 18 September 1943, Page 7

MAY FALL SOON

Japanese Base At Lae (Received September 17, 10.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 17.

Allied forces are steadily converging on the Japanese base at Lae, in the Jluon Gulf area of New Guinea, and the final collapse of enemy resistance is expected shortly. The Japanese are apparently, not prepared to throw lives away as in some of the other campaigns in New Guinea, and are only ready to fight up to a certain point. Those who attempted to stem our advance in the Markham Valley for more than a few hours suffered heavy casualties before finally abandoning their positions. General MacArthur’s communique today reports that the centre of resistance at Edward’s .planta I ion, on the ..Markham Road five miles from Late, was overcome with heavy loss to the enemy. To the north-east. Allied forces seized Malahang Anchorage, just south of Malahang aerodrome. Heavy bombers attacked enemy installations at Chinatown with 16 tons of bombs, causing explosions and silencing a five-gun anti-aircraft position. Fighters shot down an enemy reconnaissance plane over Malahang.