Two Important A.I.F. Successes

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 150, 27 June 1945, Page 5

Two Important A.I.F. Successes

Bitter Fighting in New Guinea and Solomons (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received Tuesday, 9.30 p.m. SYDNEY, June 26. Two important Australian successes in the island battles against the Japanese were reported today. In New Guinea the A.I.F. Sixth Division has stormed and taken Mount Tazaki after the most bitter fighting of the Wewak campaign; in Southern Bougainville (Solomons) the Australian Third Division has reached the Mobiai River on the southern tip of the island, repulsing an allout effort by the Japanese to h3lt their drive. Announcing tnese successes the Army Department says that to drive the Japanese from Moimt Tazaki after a fight throughout the day the Australians had to advance 600 yards across a narrow front exposed to deadly enfilading fire. However, Decause of the concentrated artillery support which was employed Australian casualties were light. The Japanese losses are expected to be heavy, but their dead have not yet been counted. , Mount Tazaki in the Torricelli Moun tains towering over the Wewak coast was one of the main bastions which the Japanese hoped to retain in order to deny the Australians further entry into the Prince Alexander Mountains which protect the enemy’s island strongholds. Mopping-up in the immediate area of Mount Tazaki is expected to occupy some days. In Southern Bougainville one Australian force has crossed the 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.