HEARTENING GAINS

Evening Star, Issue 24990, 8 October 1943, Page 3

HEARTENING GAINS

ALLIED SUCCESSES IN NEW GUINEA VAST TERRITORY RETAKEN (N.£.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (Rec. noon.) SYDNEY, October 8. _ Speed and supply have been the main features of the Australian campaign in the Markham and Ramu valleys of New Guinea. Although unspectacular (except for the rapidity of the Allied advance through difficult country) the campaign already bears marks of an important victory, over the Japanese. Together with the earlier fighting in the Lae area, it has wrested from the Japanese vast territory over which the enemy has exercisd control for nearly two years For a small loss of lives and material the Allies have defeated the Japanese, smashed their supply lines, destroyed or captured great quantities of stores and equipment, and driven the scattered enemy army into the hills. It is less than three weeks since tiie Australians were lauded from planes at Kaiapit, in the Markham Valley. Their subsequent advance of more than 40 miles has entailed the divide winch separates the headwaters of the Markham and Ramu .'livers. The Japanese have not offered serious opposition to the Australian drive since Kaiapit was captured. The last major clash was reported nearly a week ago, when 100 Japanese were ambusned near Maruwasa at the headwaters of the Markham River, 45 of them being killed. These heartening gains have_ been achieved only by the co-operation ot land and air forces on a scale never previously attempted in the South-west Pacific. The Australians' progress, too, has been greatly assisted by the impact of the earlier amphibious operations at Lao and Fiuschhafen, where the primary credit for the land victory goes to elements of the famous Ninth Division, veterans of the Middle East fighting, who fought through terrible upland country from the north and rorth T west. . , ~ War correspondents report that the retreating Japanese are burning native villages as they pass. Hard pressed by the swiftlv-advancing Australians, and precariously short of supplies, their only hope of escape is to reach their comrades in the north. Japanese stragglers "sometimes make the traditional suicide stand. One wounded soldier removed his boot, put a grenade into it, and then pulled the boot on his head. Ino grenade blew his head off. The work of the engineers in the campaign is reported to be beyond all praise. In one day a party of engineers marched 10 miles and built five bridges. It is now possible to travol in hours oyer a road whero formerly the struggling infantry took days. Members of the Australian Advisory War Council expressed appreciation, of the magnificent efforts of the _ Allied forces in New Guinea. Mr Curtin said the council realised that their achievements were not only due to sound planning but also tp the admirable discipline and great heroism of the forces.