BAYONETS SHIFT JAPS

Grey River Argus, 31 October 1942, Page 5

BAYONETS SHIFT JAPS

IN NEW GUINEA RANGES

Allies’ Success on Thursday (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 10.20.) SYDNEY, Oct, 30. >. Allied troops have madt bayonet assaults against Japanese forces military strong posts near Alola m the Owen Stanley' Ranges, Mew Guinea, and have driven the enemy from advanced positions, twenty prisoners were taken in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. It is believed that the enemy also lost considerable numbers in killed and wounded. An attack was made by the Allied troops at dusk on Thursday. To-day’s communique from General MacArthur’s Headquarters states that an Allied advance continues. How much trail distance has been gained is not reveailed. i . The most important development is that the.enemy has finallv D een dislodged from prepared positions which he has held tenaciously for more than a week in the face of unremitting Allied pressure. + U a IXiAW This action was the first in the JNew Guinea campaign in which G. ei }erai Headquarters has made official ieference to the use of the bayonet. War correspondents stress difficulties that ate confronting the attack; ers. There has been unceasing heavy rain. It has seriously hampered the porterage of Allied supplie§_over the Port Moresby-Buna track, which route, in the area of the fighting, seems to ciling to a precarious mountain face, affording only a limited opportunity for flanking attacks, which have repeatedly “softened” the enemy positions. In ‘addition persistently thick weather has prevented the Allies from exploiting their air superiority in unrelenting _ attacks on the enemy’s forward positions. It is not known whether Allied troops have yet reached Alola village, but continued enemy resistance is expected in all of the areas that are suitable for defence. There has been a shortening of the Japanese supply line. This has given the enemy some pronounced advantages, which must be further increased as' the Allies continue to advance.

Havoc battle 'planes on Thursday made strafing and bombing raids along the enemy supply route. The Japanese responded with a night raid on Port Moresby by two ’planes. Only slight damage was done.

MacArthur’s Pilots DENIED A SMACK

AT MAIN JAPANESE FLEET

(Rec. 9.50) NEW YORK, Oct. 29. The “New York Daily News” Australian correspondent, Mr Jack Turcott, comments: “General MacArthur’s airmen, apparently are not being permitted to continue their hammering blows against the Southern Solomons Islands, although General MacArthur is obviously anxious to aid in the Solomons campaign wherever it is possible. This leads to the inevitable conclusion that America’s top strategists are not willing to permit General MacArthur to share in the public recognition of those participating in the Solomons campaign. General MacArthur has never publicly compalined about the division in the command. Nor did he indicate any displeasure when Washington took New Caledonia, New Zealand, the New' Hebrides and Solomons Islands from his jurisdiction. But the aerial activities reflect theresult! Since August 7 General MacArthur’s air force has only raided enemy bases in the northern Solomons Islands; although his pilots have been itching to strike at the Japanese fleet at Guadalcanar and at Tulagi. Such assistance, however, has been impossible under the divided command.

MACARTHUR’S CRITICS

Question His Capacity AND POLITICAL REBUFF

(Rec. 7.50) NEW YORK, Oct. 29. The well-known "hew York Times” writer, Mr Arthur Koch, discusses General MacArthur’s disclaimer of any political ambitions, in connection with the proposal to nominate him for President. Mr Koch reports that General MacArthur became concerned as to the possible effects on his military effectiveness w’hen the “Presidental chatter” started. “Some months ago,” says Mr Koch, “an Armv officer and a very important legal figure in private life, returned from Australia, bearing word from General MacArthur that he was not, and would not be. a candidate, and asking only for the fullest possible scope as a soldier. The messenger delivered these tidings to President Roosevelt, Mr Stimson and others? Later, the messenger told his friends that he had been roundly lectured at White House and at the War Department for carrying a message about politics, and, furthermore, that severe criticism had been expressed against General MacArthur for sending such a message. While the political' section of the Government was expressing this form or displeasure, the military section also produced critics, and deprecated Gen. MacArthur’s communiques as unsoldierly and flamboyant, analysed unfavourably his military dispositions for the battle of Bataan. I ■ is perfectly possible for those who have been accused of having a poetical grudge against General MacArthur to produce professional soldiers who believe that he (General MacArthur) should not have a command of paramount importance. The War Secretary, Mr Stimson’s denial that the Solomons is a “Navy show’ indicates that General MacArthur s political disclaimer has not wholly corrected his relation with Washington.”