Flanking and Encircling Movements

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 11 November 1942, Page 5

Flanking and Encircling Movements

HEAVY ENEMY CASUALTIES INFLICTED Sydney, Nov. 10. I leavy casuallies are being inflicted on the Japanese in the flanking and enveloping movements launched by the Allies in th« Oivi sector. Severe fighting continues, but our losses are stated to have been comparatively light. In one of several actions Australians killed and wounded more than a hundred Japanese. The enemy here is in danger of being cut off by the encircling of Japanese positions established in depth between Oivi and Gorari, six miles nearer Buna.

The two Allied forces continue to make progress and to day's communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters speaks of the Gorari position being en veloped. Fighting is now stated to have moved out of the jungle into open country. Mortars and machine-guns, light and heavy, are the principal weapons employed. Allied aircraft are giving increased support to our troops, while the Japanese appear to have been deserted by their air force. On Monday Havocs, Beaufighters and Marauders made bombing and strafing attacks on the enemy’s forward positions and lines of communications. No news has been released of the activities of the American land force in the Buna area

To-day’s communique reports a successful attack by North American bombers on a 5000-ton transport off Cape St. George, the southern tip of New Ireland. A direct hit was scored or the ship which listed heavily and was beached to prevent it from sinking. It is not known whether the vessel, which was apparently bound for the Solomons, carried troops or supplies. Long-distance Catalina flying-boats raided the aerodrome, runways and dispersal areas at Kavieng, in New Ireland.—P.A. Special Australian Corres pondent.