AUSTRALIAN DRIVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 25 January 1944, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN DRIVE

FINISTERRE RANGE SADDLE

FIGHTING IN DIFFICULT COUNTRY

Sydney, Jan. 24

The Australian infantry, driving into the watershed of the upper Faria river, in the Finisterre ranges, New Guinea, have made important gains. They have now won a foothold on Kankiryo saddle, a Japanese strongpoint guarding the southern approach to the Dau-moma-Bogadjim-Madang motor road. Driven from prepared positions at the head of the Faria river, the Japanese abandoned 100 dead.

The present continuation of the Australians’ Ramu Valley drive is against a limited objective—a watershed of the upper Faria river. The capture of this area would clear a gap in the enemy’s mountain defensive chain and from Kankiryo saddle a

drive might be launched towards the northern coastal area. A mule track leads from the saddle to Daumoina. ten miles away. From Daumoina. 30 miles of winding motor road runs to the Japanese coastal base of Bogadjim which is a strategic point between Madang (18 miles to the north) and Saidor (an American-held coastal base 50 miles to the south-east).

The present fighting is taking place in extremely difficult mountain country. The bed of the upper Faria river is 1400 feet above sea level and the mountains are 2000 feet above its banks. In some sectors the Australians have advanced up greasy, almost perpendicular cliffs. Torrential rains have turned tracks into quagmires of kneedeep mud. Rivers rising several feet in a few hours have swept away bridges and flooded defensive positions and bivouac areas. ENGINEERS UNDAUNTED Undaunted by this destruction of handiwork completed only a few hours previously Australian engineers have set to work rebuilding bridges so that jeeps might move forward supplies. Often streams in which they have toiled have been racing so fast that troops wading across have been swept off their feet.

Close artillery and air support have assisted materially in the newest Australian drive which opened on Wednesday and Thursday. Japanese defensive positions have been sited on steep slopes. Enemy troops have been deeply entrenched in weapon pits covered with logs laced together with vines. For three days these positions were pattern-bombed by medium and clivebombers. while 25 pounders sent more than 2000 shells crashing down on the enemy’s mountain hideouts. Strong opposition was offered by the Japanese before Australian infantrymen finally occupied thfeir present advanced posi tions—a very appreciable gain of 1500 yards in this difficult terrain. —P A Special Australian Correspondent.