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Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1944, Page 3

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FOUND ALONG NEW GUINEA COAST ALLIED FORCES ABOUT TO MEET. ENEMY GENERAL LOSES LUXURY quarters. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 8. Japanese dead have been found at many points of the trail along the Roi coast in New Guinea as Australians from Sio press forward to meet the Americans moving down from Saidor. The two forces are now only 16 air miles apart, with the Australians at Lapsius Point and the Americans at Yagomai. Between them is a coastal strip of rolling kunai grass intersected with streams, which do not, however, offer any serious obstacle. Neither Allied force is encountering any opposition. The Australians are now 36 miles beyond Sio. Most of the Japanese in this coastal area have died from starvation and disease.

At Cape Gloucester, western New Britain, more ground has been gained by American marines. Most of the Borgen Bay area has now been cleared of the enemy, and Allied patrols have penetrated to Cape Gauffe, nine miles west of Natamo Point It is revealed that the Americans have been using trained Alsatian dogs for patrol work. These dogs have saved the marines from many ambushes and have filled major roles in discovering Japanese stragglers. The enemy withdrawing from Natamo Point made such a hasty flight that they had no lime to destroy the luxury headquarters of their commander, General Matsuda. The general slept on an Sin. thick padded mattress, and his bedroom suite was of polished wood. From his special arched prayer room he could view the setting sun during the hour of meditation. So rapid was the last stage of the American advance that Matsuda fled, leaving behind precious ammunition and equipment. nis personal gear, including kimonos and books, remained in his quarters. Food supplies taken included Stores bearing British, Dutch and American labels.