GRIM FIGHTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 91, 14 October 1943, Page 5

GRIM FIGHTING

NEW GUINEA FRONT

ADVANCE IN RAMU VALLEY

(Special P.A. Correspondent.) SYDNEY, October 13. For three days grim fighting has been taking place on razor-back ridges at scattered points over a ICj-mile front in the foothills of the gaunt Finisterre Mountains, which skirt the Ramu Valley, in New Guinea. A.I.F. troops advancing on Madang have inflicted appreciable losses on Japanese outposts in the Uria Valley, an offshoot of the Ramu Valley, and enemy outpost troops have been driven from their positions. In their progress along the Ramu Valley the Australians have now captured enemy strongpoints beyond Kumbarum, Which is four miles from Dumpu. The Japanese at one point have been pushed back one and a half miles with heavy casualties. In mopping-up operations north of Finsch'hafen other Australian forces have killed more than 400 Japanese. After their headlong retreat through the Markham and Ramu Valleys the Japanese are now fighting to retain command of the chain of foothills linked with the end of the vital motor road to Madang. This road begins only 20 miles away from that base. The present action is developing as a battle for the enemy's whole line of communication. Enemy soldiers are reported to be well fed and well equipped. There is evidence that their defence is being directed through efficient radio equipment. The prepared defensive positions in the area were the first the Australians had encountered in their 45 miles' advance from Kaiapit, 40 miles north of Lac, which they began on September 28. The territory in which the fighting is taking place is stated to be as difficult as the Owen Stanley Range country, scene of the first big battles against the Japanese. To cover five miles an Australian war correspondent took eight hours.