VICTORY GLINT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 203, 28 August 1943, Page 5

VICTORY GLINT

AUSTRALIAN SCLDiERS BEAT JAPS AT OWN GAME (By Telesr:.ph- Press Association—Copyright) Recd 7.30 p.m. Sydney, Aug. 27. “On the jungle slopes and mountain trails I have seen Australian soldiers with the glint of victory in their eyes a<s they press after the fleeing Japanese,” writes a war correspondent from New Guinea’s forward battle area. “The Japanese had broken and were pouring back in helter-skelter flight towards the Salamaua perimeter. “The amazing success of the Allied drive, which in one week swept the enemy from strongpoints help tor several months, has electrified this jungle battlefront. Even tne native carriers are joining in the jubilation, calling out as they strain uphill under their heavy loads: *Japa man all gone finish. Salamaua belonga us plenty quick.’ “By beating the Japanese at their own game of infiltration and encirclement, A.I.F. unit veterans of the Middle East fighting cut the famous Komiatum track. This breaking of his supply line forced the enemy's abandonment of strong outpost, positions and his retirement across the Francisco River to the inner defenceprotecting Salamaua, Japan's southernmost New Guinea base. “The Japanese had been taught that once the enemy’s lines of communication was cut and their men surrounded th? battle was as good as won,” said an A.I.F. company commander who played an important, part in these operations. “When they found themselves in this position they threw up the sponge.’ The force which captured the vital Komiatum ridge, the gateway io Salamaua, moved with th? greatest secrecy and caught the Japanese completely off guard. The enemy’s ma-chine-guns were still covered when our men attacked. They captured their objective and dug in. That night the Japanese launched a savage counter-attack, driving within live yards of the Australian positions, but they were massacred by point-blank fire. The Australian losses were fantastically light, being fewer than ten killed or wounded.

After two nights, in which they made seven such costly counter-at-tacks, the Japanese gave up trying to re-establish themselves and they began to withdraw. Australian patrols went after them and cut them to pieces, and their retreat became a rout. The brilliant success of these operations, which were the climax of seven months’ jungle fighting, was made possible by a faultless supply system. To bring forward food and *amm-ini-tion to advanced troops, Australian carrying parties shouldered 401 b. loads c : the back-breaking five-hour climb. The headquarters of the Japanese at Ko. liatum comprised a score of native huts, an intricate maze of weapon pits and communicating trenches, and a hospital in the usual filthy condition. Some Japanese who were trapped made the customary suicide stands. Five of them, well armed, were cornered in a heavy artillery shelter To dislodge the Australians had to dynamite the shelter. Thev found two Japanese still al : ve. When an A.I.F. officer offered on? surly wounded fellow a cigarette he crumpled it in his fingers and smacked the officer :n the face.