REMARKABLE AID

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21260, 24 November 1943, Page 3

REMARKABLE AID

u.s. planeTand guns TROOPS’ PUSH SCREENED BOUGAINVILLE ISLE (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Nov.-23. In the northern Solomons, American patrols at Empress Augusta Bay, on Bougainville Island, told war correspondents in the area that the Japanese were' not making the same “do-or-die” resistance as had characterised their defence at Guadalcanal The close air and artillery support given to the American infantry had been remarkable. The planes 'had laid their -bombs within 150yds. of our advancing troops, while the artillery had put down a barrage only 50yds. ahead of our positions. As yet, there had been no evidence of the Japanese overland troop movements towards Empress Augusta Bay from Buin and Kahili, and it is improbable that the bad tracks will permit of traffic in heavy reinforcements. Enemy barges, however, may move along the coast at night, although large-scale movement is seriously hampered by our air superiority. War correspondents say -that American “seabees” again accomplished wonders in stevedoring and building roads. Among the heroes of the campaign are the dogs which arrived with the first landing troops. They have been on patrol work ever since. The dogs are used as messengers, scouts and sentries.