STRONGER STAND

Grey River Argus, 11 January 1944, Page 5

STRONGER STAND

BY THE JAPANESE On Huon Peninsula (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 8.35) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. Australian troops are now encountering strong Japanese resistance in their coastal drive up Huon Peninsula in New Guinea. The Australians are' about eight miles from Sio, which is the administrative centre and 'the .staging /point fior enemy barges on Huon Peninsula. It has been suggested that the Japanese may attempt by barges to make an evacuation of Huon Peninsula from Sio. The enemy rearguard is now standing along the Ueneja River. There they are ’giving Australians their first formidable opposition for many days. 'The Australian forces are attacking with both tanks and artillery, and as well they have air support. No enemy counter-attacks have yet been made against the American forces at the Saidor beachhead, about sixty miles north-west of Sio. However, Allied patrol torpedo-boats destroyed five barges laden with troops and supplies midway between Bogadjim and Saidor. La'st Friday, Thunderbolt planes made a surprise strafing attack on fifteen enemy barges on this section of the coast. They left several damaged. Ramu Valley Campaign (Rec. 10.40) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. In the Ramu Valley, in New Guinea, Australian forces are pushing their patrols northwards from Shaggy Ridge. Japanese artillerv has intermittently shelled the positions of the Australians on this ridge. Mitchell bombers on Saturday bombed and strafed along the enemy .supply; trail from 'Madang to Ramu Valley. They destroyed a bridge. Allied Air Raids ' NORTH NEW GUINEA AND RABAUL. ' (Rec. 10.40) LONDON, J'an. 10. The heaviest bombing raid reported by General MacArthur’s communique to-day was one on Alexisjhafen, in Northern New Guinea. There Liberators dropped 92 tons of bombs. Solomons-based Liberator bombers and R.A.A.F. Beauforts on Friday last attacked the Vanakanua aerodrome, at Rabaul. AIR BATTLE Over New Ireland (Rec. 10.50) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. More than one hundred planes took part in an air battle over Cape St. George, in New Ireland, on Friday last. Allied fighters shot down ten Japanese fighters. Two other Japanese planes were probably destroyed. The Allies lost six planes. The Allied fighters engaged were escorting a strong formation of Dauntless and Avenger bombers, which bombed enemy installations at Cape St. George. NEW BRITAIN FRONT Patrol Skirmishes (Rec. 10.20) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. General MacArthur in his communique to-day reports no heavy fighting on land fronts in the Southwest Pacific area except on the Huon Feninsula. American Marines at Cape Gloucester, in Western New Britain, have reorganised for another push against Japanese at Borgen Bay. Liberator bombers attacked enemy positions in the area with fifty-eight tons of explosives. Several patrol skirmishes have occurred. American Advances NEW YORK, Jan. 9. The official Tokio radio admitted that the enemy had . advanced. his strong force to Torokina (Bougianville) and Mergus (New Britain) in order to establish air bases and had thereby completely crashed into the Japanese air mastery sphere. The radio added: The fact that the enemy is advancing by using fighters as well as large type bombers indicates his rear supply has considerably solidified. SYDNEY, Jan. 10. American troops at Saidor, New Guinea are expanding their defensive perimeter, and patrolling extensively along the coast. Numbers of enemy barges have been sunk or damaged in near waters. Some of the barges were loaded with troops and supplies. . General MacArthur reports resistance from rearguards of J'apanese forces retreating before the Australians on Huon Peninsula. SYDNEY. Jan. 10. On the New Britain land fronts at Cape Gloucester and Arawe patrol actions have occurred. Allied aircraft are giving close support to ground forces. v