Aussies Ready For Final Assault On Finschhafen

Northern Advocate, 2 October 1943, Page 5

Aussies Ready For Final Assault On Finschhafen

SYDNEY, This Day,

Australians have eliminated Japanese resistance on the high ground around Finschhafen base, New Guinea, and are now in position for a final assault. They have captured Kakakog Spur, which dominates their objective only a few hundred yards a'-.vay killing 50 Japanese and forcing the remainder of the defenders to flee. After losing the spur the Japanese launched three night counter-attacks, all of which were repulsed. Today’s communique from General MacArthur announcing this important gain also reports that an airborne force which captured Kaiapit, 60 miles up Markham Valley from Lae, has advanced 14 miles north-west and seized Wankon.

Further north, in Bogadjim area, south of the enemy’s base at Madang, Allied fighters on Wednesday strafed communications. General MacArthur’s bombers also struck at enemy targets in Celebes and New Britain. In a long-range attack on Pomelaa in Celebes, a formation of Catalina flying-boats concentrated on a nickel mining centre which is being worked by the Japanese. They damaged an 8500-ton freighter, and two oil barges and started fires in the wharf and barracks area. Beaufighters destroyed nine loaded barges ofi Lolobau Island, New Britain. A communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters reports that Australians are enveloping and closing in on the town of Finschhafen on the Hu on Penisula, New Guinea. 100 Japs Ambushed Australian troops from Kaiapit, 60 miles up the Markham Valley, from Lae, have reached the Kamu River, seven miles to the north-west of Marawasa. Cutpost patrols ambushed a party of 100 Japanese troops, near Kesawai, killing 45 and wounding many. In the Salomons On the Vella Lavella island, in the Solomons, Allied ground forces are steadily closing in on the remaining enemy groups at the northern end of the island. Ninety Japanese Were killed when endeavouring to escape from a surrounded position. The Japanese are attempting to use parachutes to deliver supplies. Battle Over Airfield The Japanese lost 12 Zeros out of a force of 35 which tried to intercept escorted Liberator bombers in an attack on Wednesday on Kahili aerodrome on Bougainville Island, Central Solomons, reports General MacArthur’s communique. In a battle over the airfield Corsair fighters destroyed seven Zeros and Liberators accounted for five. One Corsair was lost. Bombers scored many direct hits and started many fires. Off Choiseul Island, fighters sti'afed and sank a 100 ft. boat filled with Japanese troops and three loaded barges. The enemy base at Vila, on Kolombangara Island, was attacked by Allied medium, torpedo and dive-bombers. Bivouac areas were pounded and hits scored on seven gun positions and many large fires were started.