BATTLE OF BUNA

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1942, Page 5

BATTLE OF BUNA

JAPANESE PREPARED

To Fight to Last Man

(Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 9.45) SYDNEY, Nov. 26. On land in Papua, heavy fighting continues in low jungle; interspersed with swamps and tidal creeks, in tne coastal strip in the Buna-Gona area. The nature of the country now is making the Allied manoeuvre slow and difficult. . , , The Japanese.forces are withdrawn mainly within the confines of carefully prepared positions. These positions are described as being “strongly fortified with barbed wire, dugouts, and all of the defensive attributes ot a fortress.” . ... , , Failing their getting any relief by sea, it appears that the beleaguered Japanese garrison are prepared to fight to the last man. The Japanese are encircled on three sides by Australian and American troops. They are holding grimly to the beach. It is their only way of entrance or egress. . Foxhole and treetop . snipers are posted along the outskirts of l heavier defences of the Japanese.

Japanese Strategy ' QUESTIONED AT BUNA. A FORLORN HOPE. [Special to N.Z. Press Assn.J (Rec. 10.50.) SYDNEY, Nov. 26. It is evident that the Japanese have the suicidal determination to hold out at Buna as lone? as possible. J ins determination is without an etppaient adequate strategic reason. Unsuccessful attempts to bring them relief, bv sea have now cost a light cruise; and at least four destroyers and two smaller craft, and a considerable number of troops. Lae and Salamaua are the only bases from which close air support can be given to Buna. It is clear that the Japanese lack adequate ’planes to challenge seriously the Allies’ air superiority. A continued exposure to General MacArthur’s bombers of enemy warshins, without the support of which Buna must soon fall, offers the Allies a handsome opportunity to pursue artrition tactics, which are making inroads on Japanese Naval strength Enemy Raiders OVER PORT MORESBY. (Rec. 9.45) SYDNEY. Nov. 26. As is usual when enemy naval movements are in progress m northern New Guinea waters, there has been a renewal of Japanese air activity in New Guinea on a small scale. Throughout Wednesday, however, Allied air forces were able to maintain undimmished bombing ana strafing attacks against targets or opportunity. Zeros over the area did not clash with Allied planes. Single enemy aircraft were twice over Port Moresby, but they dropped their hombs harmlessly in bush. JAP GUADALCANAR CAMP ATTACKED. WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. A United States Marine patrol at Guadalca'nar killed 70 Japanese and captured live machine-guns, when they raided an enemy encampment on Monday. The Marine casualties were two wounded. „ Divel-bombers and fighters from Guadalcanal’ attacked enemy mstaUa tions at Munda at the western end oi New Georgia, scoring a direct on a warehouse.