NEW GUINEA PUSH

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 63, 11 September 1943, Page 7

NEW GUINEA PUSH

RAPID DEVELOPMENT

NEAR MAIN ENEMY .DEFENCES (By Telegraph—Press association—Copyright.)

SYDNEY, September 10. The Allied drives against the Japanese bases at Lac and Salamaua, in New Guinea, are developing rapidly. Advancing through difficult country after landing north of Lac last Saturday, Australian troops have reached the Busu River, two miles from Malahang aerodrome, where the enemy may make a "last ditch" stand. Artillery is being rushed up to blast the Japanese defences.

Australian reinforcements and equipment continue to reach Nadzab airfield to strengthen the force which is pushing down the Markham Valley, north-west of Lac. Advanced units are already approaching the enemy's main defences.

The continuous and concentrated bombing of Lac is believed to have reduced the main fortifications almost to ruins, to have wiped out artillery, destroyed or disrupted installations, and inflicted heavy punishment on the garrison.

On the Salamaua front Allied ground forces are continuing their pressure. Naval units have bombarded the waterfront area of the enemy's base and the defences are taking a terrific pounding from the air.

Since the original clash between the landing party and 30 Japanese, and the later meeting with 100 of the enemy at Singaua plantation; A.I.F. troops have encountered only small patrols, says an Australian war correspondent.

NO CONTACT AT NADZAB.

He adds: "The Japanese have been inactive in the air and there are still no reports of artillery being used against our men. The Busu Eiver, which stands between the Australians and the enemy, in this sector is wide and shallow in some places. So far there have been no reports of any Japanese attempt to hinder the crossing."

American transport pilots have maintained a ceaseless ferry service to Nadzab airfield. All day transports discharge troops and equipment and Flying Fortress bombers are also constantly over the area, dropping stores and ammunition by parachutes. There has still been no contact with the Japanese in the Nadzab sector. A patrol reported coming on an enemy camp some miles from Nadzab, which had been evacuated so suddenly that washing was still damp on the line. Officers had fled leaving behind all their equipment. General Mac Arthur's communique reports an attack on Wednesday by Allied heavy bombers on the aerodrome and waterfront areas'at Babo in Dutch New Guinea. Extensive damage was caused and numerous large fires were started, including an oil blaze from which billowing smoke rose thousands of feet. Eight enemy fighters were in the air but avoided combat.

Allied night reconnaissance units off Cape Saint George, New Ireland, damaged a 7000-ton enemy cargo ship and a 'submarine-chaser.