JAPS STILL STRONG

Grey River Argus, 2 December 1943, Page 3

JAPS STILL STRONG

On Huon Peninsula SYDNEY, Dec. 1. Although badly-battered in the recent heavy fighting, the Japanese on Huon Peninsula, New Guinea, are still in strong force. In the advance by the Australian troops against Bonga several Japanese have escaped by the ruse of feigning death. One Australian who attempted to remove the sword of a ‘‘dead” officer was savagely bitten in the arm. “I was so amazed that I only had time to kick him in the stomach before he disappeared into the jungle,” said the soldier. “He got away with his sword, too!” The next move of the Japanese on Huon Peninsula cannot be foretold. It is, however, considered probable that the Japanese will stand and uefend their formidable prepared positions near Wareo. However, these positions are dominated by, Allied ar; tillery, while long stretches of kunai grass in this sector make practicable the increased us of tanks. It is likely, too, that the Japanese are short of supplies. N.o rations were found when the A.I.F. forces captured Satelberg. In a nearby village the body of a mule was discovered. It had been killed for food. Four pack saddles of other mules apparently killed for the same purpose were also found A few of the enemy who were left behind in the general withdrawal from Satelberg are facing starvation. The supply problem of the main Japanese force has been complicated by) the cutting of their most direct line to the coast and by the imminent Australian threat to their coastal base of Bonga. The enemy’s barge unloading points are thus being forced further back along the New Guinea coast, increasing the distances over which the supplies for the Wareo force must be nortered.