NEW GUINEA FRONTS

Grey River Argus, 16 December 1943, Page 5

NEW GUINEA FRONTS

AUSTRALIAN PUSH In Three Areas [Aust, & N.Z. Press Assn.] (Rec. 9.40) SYDNEY, Dec. 15. The speed of the Australian advance northwards along the Huon Peninsula coast line in New Guinea apparently disorganised > retreating Japanese lorces. Parties of enemy stragglers from other sectors of the Peninsula wandered into Australian lines, being unaware that Australians had been in occupation of this area for some days. Australian tank supported forces are steadily closing in on a Japanese barge and supply,- base at Lakona'. Un Monday night Airacobras attacked in this area. They wrecked ten enemy barges in a coastal sweep. Light naval units destroyed another twelve barges. . Two miles inland, another Australian column is pushing Japanese northwards along the jungle trails from Wareo, which was captured on December 8 last. The advance along the coast threatens to cut off tne enemy inland force from possible evacuation points. In an effort to hold; the coastal drive the Japanese have mined the tracks and creek crossings. However bulldozers are moving closely behind the Matilda tanks which form the spearhead of the Australian coastal drive, and are quickly on hand to construct deviations. The use of the tanks has contributed greatly to the speed of the advance, enabling the enemy’s fixed defences to be smashed in double quick time. In the Ramu Valley,. Australian forces smashed three strong Japanese counter-at-tacks. On Sunday morning an enemy force, estimated at four hundred meh, struck in the Kesawai area in the foothills of the Finisterre ranges, just before dawn. It is believed that they suffered about a hundred casualties before being driven off. Supporting the Australians in' the Rama Valley attack are bombers. These made low level sweeps over an enemy supply route connecting with their coastal base of Bogadjim.