SATELBERG’S FALL IMMINENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 26 November 1943, Page 5

SATELBERG’S FALL IMMINENT

AUSTRALIANS NEAR TOP OF HEIGHTS STUBBORN ENEMY DEFENCE (Rec. 11.50 a.m.) Sydney, This Day. The fall of the Japanese strongpoint of Satelberg on the Huon Peninsula, New Guinea, is imminent. Australian troops are now with 400 yards of th e summit of Satelberg heights. Fine weather during the past few days has hardened the track surfaces and heavy Matilda tanks which have been the main contributing factor towards the rapid Australian advance may now be able to drive right on to th e final objective.

The Japanese have fought a stubborn defensive action, their known casualties numbering more than 300, while the Australian casualties have been a mere fraction of this total. The figures are made even more remarkable by the fact that the Australians have been attacking uphill against strong prepared positions. The use of tanks and heavy aerial and artillery bombardment combined with excellent jungle craft of A.I.F. troops account for the disparity in the casualty rate. War correspondents in the area report that captured Japanese defences include deep-cut gun positions and timbered fox-holes linked in depth by an elaborate system of crawl trenches. During the past few days the retreating Japanese have left behind a number of messages to Australians, these being eagerly sought by souvenir hunters. One boastfully optimistic message read: “Good-bye friends. We will see you in Australia. If you do not know it, those behind you know that our forces are stronger than yours.” The fall of Satelberg will mean the end of organised Japanese resistance on the Huon Peninsula. Finshhafen, which was captured from the Japanese on October 2 was the starting point for the present Australian offensive. Enemy forces there retreated to Satelberg where they had pre pared strong defensive positions after the fall of Finshhafen. Later in the month they made a vain and costly attempt to break through to the coast again. —P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.