TRAPPED JAPS

Grey River Argus, 10 January 1944, Page 2

TRAPPED JAPS

ON HUON PENINSULA Begin Evacuating in Barges FAust. A N.Z. Press Assn.l ; SYDNEY, Jan. 8. The Australians, pursuing the retreating Japanese up the coast of the Huon Peninsula' in New Guinea have made patrol contact with the enemy near Sio, formerly an important barge base. It has been suggested by some war correspondents that the Japanese may attempt a sea evacuation of the Huon Peninsula from the Sio area. General MacArthur reports th a. thirteen enemy barges have been destroyed or left unserviceable along this section of the New Guinea ct ast. (Rec. 8.50) SYDNEY, Jan. 9. Australian and American troops are making steady progress in converging drives into the northern strip of the Huon Peninsula, which is held by Japanese forces. Each Allied force is averaging about four miles a day through jungle. They have narrowed the gap between them to sixty-five miles. Australian forward elements are to-day reported to be nearing Scharnhorst. Point at the northern tip of Huon Peninsula, about eight air ‘miles from Sio. “However there are reports that a Japanese evacuation from Sio has begun. These show that the Japanese prefer joining the patrol craft rather than Australian tanks and bayonets. Even the attempted evacuation from Sio may be barred in a few da'ys by Australians forcing a way through the jungle.”' General MacArthur’s week-end communiques report heavy destruction of Japanese barges in the S'io area. The biggest bag was made last Wednesday and Thursday when Kittyhawks destroyed or made unserviceable thirteen barges. . Opposition to the Australian drive has been reported. It is evident that the enemy retreat is becoming a rout. Mr. Gordon Walker, Boston “Christian Science Monitor” war correspondent writes; “As all land avenues of escape are closed, the only possible exit for the. trapped Japanese is by barges, which must run a blockade of Allied patrol craft.