HUON PENINSULA

Evening Star, Issue 25037, 2 December 1943, Page 6

HUON PENINSULA

AUSTRALIANS CAPTURE BONGA ENEMY SUPPLY TRAILS CUT (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) SYDNEY, Dec. 1. ' The Australian troops in New Guinea have captured Bonga and Gusika, about 10 .miles north of Finschhafen, on Huon Peninsula. These Japanese-held villages are at the junction of strategically important enemy supply trails. The Australians, who are advancing with tank'support, have now reached the mouth of the Kaleung River. They encountered some resistance about I,oooyds south of the river mouth, but quickly overcame it, forcing the Japanese to withdraw. These Australian gains in the coastal sector have seriously prejudiced the ability of the enemy force retreating from Satelberg to make any strong stand in the Wareo area since they complicate the carriage of enemy supplies to that point. Wareo, four miles north of Satelberg, is now threatened by another Australian force which encountered some opposition on the banks of the Song River, but quickly forced a river crossing, and is continuing to advance.

Further disrupting the passage of Japanese supplies in this area, American light warships on Monday night bombarded the harbour and supply areas at Sio, an important Japanese barge base 50 miles north of Finschhafen. To make the attack the warships had to penetrate the narrow waters of Vitiaz Strait. This sea bombardment of Sio proved the growing Allied control of the Bismarck Sea and the tightening grip on the Japanese supply lines. The closest Japanese aerodrome to Sio is at Cape Gloucester, the western tin of New Britain, whence enemy air interference might have come. It was heavily attacked by Marauders and Mitchells with fighter* escort. Large fireswere started. There was no enemy air interception.