SALAMAUA DEFENCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 64, 13 September 1943, Page 6

SALAMAUA DEFENCES

FALL OF BASE IMMINENT

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) Rec. 1 p.m. SYDNEY, Sept. 13. The Japanese defences around Salamaua have crumbled and the Allied capture of the base is believed to be imminent. Except for possible stray snipers the Allies have cleared the entire area south of the Francisco River. After the Allied troops pierced the southern defence line the Japanese retreated in panic leaving hundreds of unburied dead.

Three field guns and much combat equipment of the enemy garrison have now been compressed into about a square mile of flat country unsuitable for effective resistance. American naval unite command the sea approaches, and the only avenue of temporary retreat for the garrison is to the north towards Lac. Japanese troops escaping by this route would probably clash with the Allied forces further north and now investing Lac.

A general offensive east and west of Lac has not yet started. Some resistance is being experienced by Australian troops at the mouth of the Busu River four miles from Lac. In a clash on Friday 40 Japanese were killed. Japanese medium artillery at Lac is firing on the advancing Australians, who hold the river crossing.

The main defences of Lac include heavy artillery, but some guns already have been smashed in devastating air raids. The enemy will probably have to be dug out. From the eastern bank of the Busu River our artillery has been pounding the inner .Japanese, defences at Malahang, where the Australians are likely to meet strong resistance. Progress has also been made in the Markham Valley behind Lac, where Allied

patrols are holding advanced positions, and awaiting further reinforcements for the final push. Resistance in this sector generally has been small.