JAPANESE RETIRE IN NEW GUINEA

Southland Times, Issue 24863, 1 October 1942, Page 5

JAPANESE RETIRE IN NEW GUINEA

ORIBAIWA RIDGE TAKEN BY AUSTRALIANS (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 30. Australian troops in New Guinea have recaptured the Oribaiwa Ridge (about 80 miles by trail up the Owen Stanley range from Port Moresby). As our troops continue their advance the Japanese are retiring in the direction of Naoro, 10 miles to the north. The Oribaiwa Ridge, the final defensive position established by the Japanese in their southward drive across the mountains, was occupied by the enemy on September 10. The position captured was one of maximum strength and had been prepared for defence with barricades, obstructions and field trenches, according to a late communique from General Douglas MacArthur s headquarters. Quantities of supplies and equipment abandoned by the enemy have been captured. Although the Japanese withdrawal appears to have been hasty there is no evidence of enemy confusion. There has been no indication that the light mountain artillery pieces used by the enemy were among the captured equipment. Beyond Naoro Creek is another ridge where the Japanese are believed likely to make their next stand. Fire from 25-pounder artillery is believed to have played an important part in the Australian drive, in which the initial attacks are reported to have been thrust home with such vigour that the enemy speedily withdrew. In addition to having retaken Oribaiwa Ridge and advancing beyond it the Australian troops now occupy Oribaiwa village.

General Headquarters confirms that the Australian troops engaged in tne Owen Stanley battle are improvising camouflage for their uniforms and personal equipment. Whole comprehensive jungle kits have not yet been issued, but the men are becoming adept at making use of jungle foliage vO screen their movements. . . The Allied air forces are maintaining close co-operation with our giound troops in their advance. On Tuesday medium bombers attacked enemy rear positions at Menari, about four miles by rail from Naoro. Continuing their attacks on enemy bases Flying Fortresses pounded Buna where six barges were destroyed. Salamaua aerodrome was bombed, but the results were not observed, IMPORTANT TALKS The Australians’ New Guinea advance has fortified the rising belief among Australian and American observers that a general Allied offensive in the South-West Pacific is in the making. Important strategic talks are stated to be proceeding somewhere m the Pacific between Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the American Pacific Fleet, Vice-Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, Commander-in-Chief in the South Pacific, and Lieuten-ant-General H. H. Arnold, Chief of tiie United States Army Air Forces. This high command conference, it is believed, is discussing the weight.of ships, planes, men and material available for heavy blows at the enemy. “The stem fighting ahead both in the Solomons and New Guinea in indicative of the mighty task before the United Nations in driving the Japanese out of the South Pacific,” states the American commentator, Raymond Gram Swing. “With the size of the forces that General MacArthur can spare to support the Solomons campaign it is not possible to prevent the Japanese from making landings on Guadalcanal but faking these southern Solomon islands we had to take risks. Our willingness to do so reveals that the Allied offensive spirit is now asserting itself under tremendous difficulties.” While thoughts of a general Allied offensive have been revived by the new American successes in the Solomons and by the Australians in their Owen Stanley drive, the latest New Guinea move is primarily protective. A high ranking officer points out that the winning of complete South Pacific air • supremacy is essential for such an Allied offensive as a preliminary to naval and ground action. BITTER CONTESTS AHEAD “At present a series of local superiorities exist, each being challenged by the opposing forces,” he said. “The United Nations possess definite local air superiority in the southern Solomons and New Guinea, while the Japanese still dominate the skies over Rabaul and certain other areas. The struggle is still in its earliest stages, with many bitter contests ahead before either air force establishes dominance over the whole area.” Japan’s answer to our New Guinea advance is a Tokyo radio claim that the Japanese forces have now occupied the entire area of the Arafura Sea.