A.I.F. SUCCESSES

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1945, Page 5

A.I.F. SUCCESSES

NEW GUINEA HEIGH

Taken After All-day Battle

(Rec. 9.30) SYDNEY, June 26 Two important Australian successes in island battles against Japanese forces'are reported•to-day. In New Guinea, the A.I.F. Sixth Division has stormed and taken Mount Tazaki, after the most bitter lighting of the Wewak campaign. In southern Bougainville, in north Solomons, the Australian Third Division have reached the Mobiai River on the southern tip of the island. They repulsed an all-out effort by Japanese, forces to halt their drive. Announcing these successes, the Army Department says that to drive Japanese from Mount Tazaki, after a fight lasting throughout a day, the Australians had to advance eignt hundred yards across a narrow front exposed to deadly enfilading fire. However, concentrated artillery support was employed by the Australians, and their casualties • were light. Japanese losses are expected to be heavy. Their dead have not yet been counted. Mount Tazaki,. in the Torricelli Mountains, towering over the Wewak coast, was one of the main bastions which the Japanese hoped to retain in order to aeny the Australians further entry into the Prince Alexander Mountains, which protect the enemy’s island strong holds. Mopping up in the immediate area of Mount Tazaki is expected to occupy some days. In southern Bougainville, one Australian force has crossed Mobiai River, following a heavy artillery barrage Actions described by the Army announcement as “particularly savage’ ’are being fought on both banks of the river. A.I.F. NON-COM'S GALLANTRY (Rec. 9.50) SYDNEY, June 26 A twenty-year-old Australian Lance Corporal, Owen George O’Connor, has been cited for gallantry in southern Bougainville Island, in tne Solomons. Lance Corporal O’Connor stood guard over a wounded man, when three Japanese attacked with fixed bayonets. O’Connor killed them all, and, then under fire, carried the wounded man to safety. He returned to save a second wounded comrade, and he gave covering fire so that a third wounded man could escape; and finally he rescued a fourth man, who was pinned down by enemy fire. Lance Corporal O’Connor was second in command of a nine man patrol, whose task was to locate suspected Japanese headquarters.

M.acARTHUR’S REPORT

(Rec. 9.30) WASHINGTON, Jun e 26 Australian ground forces have counted additional dead In New Guinea. Bougainville, and New Britain, bringing the total in these areas since the beginning of the year to 9.725 enemy dead and 226 taken prisoner. R.N.Z.A.F. Fai* Eastern Marine, and R.A.A.F. aircraft are effectively supporting operations.