FALL OF SATELBERG

Evening Star, Issue 25034, 29 November 1943, Page 4

FALL OF SATELBERG

ALLIES NOW CONTROL HUON PENINSULA REMAINING JAPANESE RETREATING TO NORTHERN END (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) SYDNEY, Nov. 2S. Satelberg. the last Japanese stronghold on the Huon Peninsula, in New Guinea, which fell last Friday alter a nine clays' assault, gives the Allies control of the Huon Peninsula and of the straits between New Cuim* and New Britain. Finschhafcn airfield, an Allied attacking base, situated only 10 miles from Satelberg, is now safe from land assault. Finschhafcn is ICO miles west of the Japanese base of Gasmata, on the south coast of New Britain, and 320 miles south-west of Rabaul, on the northern tip of New Britain, HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES,

The Australian troops who grimly battled their way through the enemy's main defences, 2,500 ft above sea level, have pursued the fleeing enemy four miles to the north. They have occupied four villages beyond Satelberg. The Japanese losses have been severe, and tho Australians have captured much military equipment, including field guns and other munitions. The main enemy force is believed to he endeavouring to retreat along the Wareo trail, which winds to the far northern end of tho Huon Peninsula. It is likely that the Japanese will attempt to escape from there by barges. To hamper such an operation Allied attack planes are bombing and strafing the enemy barge staging points along the north New Guinea coast, while American patrol torpedo boats search for the enemy . barges. General MacArthtir's communique reports that at one point the. trail has been cut.

Satelberg fell when the Japanese defences collapsed under three separate frontal and flanking assaults by the Australian . forces. The enemy fought back desperately a.s the Australian infantry, supported by heavy Matilda tanks, "pressed from ridge to ridge. Satelberg township was occupied only after bitter hand-to-hand fighting. To cover the last mile of strongly-fortified jungle positions took the Australians almost a week. They found Satelberg township 'in ruins from the smashing artillery and aerial bombardments which preceded the launching of the final drive on November .17. PRAISE FOR INFANTRYMEN.

The A.I.F. infantryman was beyond all praise, said Major-general Lethbridge yesterday. The British military mission, of which he is head, had been inspecting the forward area at Satelberg when Australan patrols wero within 100yds of their final objective. "The A.I.F. infantryman is the most impressive thing we have seen on the tour." he told, war correspondents. " 1 have never seen such magnificent spirit. Those boys can adapt themselves to any conditions. It is no good thinking we can win this war with machines only—we must have first-class troops." In a tribute to Australians, General MacArthur, in announcing the fall of Satelberg, said: " Iu this gallant attack the most difficult operational conditions, due to the mountainous jungle terrain, were encountered and overcome."