BATTLE OF PAPUA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 126, 24 November 1942, Page 3

BATTLE OF PAPUA

LAST STAGE AROUND BUNA

U.S. ATTACK BEGINS

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) ' (Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 1 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 24. The last stages of the battle for Papua are expected to be fought out around Buna village, where American troops are attacking the major strength of the Japanese force which is supported by artillery. • : Reports from the Americans . state that the Japanese have been using anti-aircraft guns depressed to their limit as field-guns, as well as mortars with a range of 4000 yards. It is . believed that the Australian troops may already have taken Gona village. The combined Australian and American force which captured Soputa, six miles inland from Buna, on Saturday, is now reported to have pushed on three miles to the Sangara plantation area. The enemy has strong defences here, but a successful Allied drive would split the Japanese defenders at Buna and Gona and would clinch the victory. Don :Carswell, American United Press correspondent now in the Buna area, says that heavy fains have hampered the attackers who are opposed to the Japanese marines from > Formosa. The Japanese are well clothed and equipped. Some of their equipment bears the 1942 stamp. Several columns have converged on Buna, where the main weight of the Allied air attacks has also been concentrated. ..'■-.