AUSSIES ON TOP

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1943, Page 4

AUSSIES ON TOP

SATELBERG FALLS ENEMY FOLLOWED More Places Taken < SYDNEY, Nov. 27. (Rec. 6.30) SYDNEY. Nov. 28. Satelberg, the last Japanese stronghold on Huon' Peninsula, tell last Friday. This was after a nine days’ assault. The Australian troops, who grimly battle their way through the enemy’s main defences 2500 feet above sea level, have since pursued the fleeing enemy four miles to the north. The Australians have occupied four villages beyond Satelberg. Japanese lasses have been severe. The Australians have captured much military equipment, including field guns and other munitions. The main Cnemy force is believed to ’be retreating along the Wareo trail, which winds to the far northern end of the Huon Peninsula. It is likely that the Japanese will attempt to escape from there by barges. To hamoer such an operation Allied attack' planes are bombing and strafing enemy barge staging points alone- the north New Guinea coast, while American patrol torpedo boats are searching for enemy barges. . Satelberg fell when the J'apanese defences collapsed under three separate frontal and flanking assaults by the Australian forces. The enemy fought back desperately as Australian infantry, who were supported by heavy Matilda tanks, pressed from ridge to ridge. Satelberg township was occupied only after bitter hand-to-hand fighting. To covei’ the last mile of strongly-fortified jungle positions had taken the Australians almost a week. They found Satelberg township in ruins from smashing artillery and aerial bombardments which had preceded the launching of the final drive on November 17. Tributes to Australians BY U.S. AND BRITISH GENERALS SYDNEY, Nov. 28. In a tribute to the Australians, General MacArthur, in the communique announcing the fall of Satelberg, said: “In this gallant attack, most difficult operational conditions, due to mountainous jungle terrain, Were encountered and overcome.” The capture of Satelberg gives the Allies control of Huon Peninsula .and of the Vitiaz and Dampier Straits between New Guinea and New Britain. The Finschhafen airfield, an Allied attacking base, situated only 10 miles from Satelberg, is now safe from land assault. Finschhafen is 160 miles west of the Japanese base at Gasmata, on the New Britain south coast, and is 320 miles southwest of Rabaul, on the northern tip of New Britain Island. The A.I.F. infantryman is 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 Australian patrols were within 100 yards of the final objective. “The A.I.F. infantryman is the most impressive thing that we have seen on our tour,” he told war correspondents. “I have never seen such .a magnificent spirit. Those boys can adapt themselves to any condiitons. It is no good thinking that we can win this war with machines only. We must have firstclass troops.” JAP SUPPLY TRAIL CUT (Rec. 9.5) SYDNEY, Nov. 28. General MacArthur’s communique to-day reports that Australian troops on the north-east New Guinea coast have cut the Bonga-Wareo trail, an important enemy supply line linking Satelberg and its rear area with the coast. No official estimate has yet been given of the number of Japanese killed in the capture of SatelIberg, init the number is believed to have been high.