JAPS REPULSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 4, 6 January 1944, Page 5

JAPS REPULSED

MORE LAND FIGHTING AT CAPE GLOUCESTER SPECTACULAR ADVANCE BY AUSTRALIANS (Special Australian Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Recd. 8.40 p.m. Sydney, Jan. 5. Land fighting again flared up at Cape Gloucester, western Nev/ Britain, on Monday. The Japanese attacked the American beach-head near Siliniati Point, but were decisively repulsed, leaving 200 dead on the battlefield. This brings the number of enemy kil’cd counted at Cape Gloucester to 1500. The total Japanese casualties are believed to be many times this figure. Western New Britain is the only sector of the South-west Pacific in which the Japanese are at present offering measurable resistance to the Allied ground forces. The Americans who landed Tit Saidor, northern New Guinea, on Sunday have now enlarged their beach-head to an area of about ten square miles. Patrols are being pushed out in an endeavour to make contact with the enemy. A spectacular advance had been made by Australian troops driving north along the coast of the Huon Peninsula. They have progressed ten miles in the past two days. The Australians have advanced 27 miles Irom Masawenk since December 12. Their advance had proceeded on only eight days, the remainder of the time being employed for resting and consolidating. They are now approaching the Cape King William area, about 80 air miles from Saidor. The Japanese are offering only token opposition. The main duty of their rearguard appears to be observation of the Australian advance. In the Ramu Valley good roads capable of carrying heavy traffic have been built, replacing the native tracks which once wound their way through the kunai grass. This transformation has taken place since the Australians entered the valley early in September. The use of these roads will ease the Australians’ supply problem and enable stronger pressure to be exerted against the Japanese forces occupying positions in the Finisterre ranges. RABAUL AGAINiBAIDED THIRTY JAPANESE ZEROS INTERCEPTED Reed. 8.45 p.rti. Sydney, Jan. 5. Rabaul New Britain, main Japanese base in the South-west Pacific, has again been the target for an aerial sweep by Allied-Solomons-hased fighters. When 30 Zeros were intercepted 11 were shot down, with three probably destroyed. Allies losses are officially described as light. General MacArthur’s communique to-day also reports the destruction by air attack of an enemy schooner, a lighter and two barges off the south coast of New Britain Madang, important Japanese New i Guinea base, which is the target for the present Allied land drives, has again been bombed. Our fighters destroyed bridges on the Japanese supply road between Madang and Bogadjim. This road links with the trail running into the Ramu Valley. DRIVEJNLAND AMERICAN FORCE AT SAIDOR (Speoial Australian Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Recd. 6.30 p.m. Sydney, Jan. 5. The American troops which landed at Saidor, in New Guinea, on Sunday have already penetrated inland for more than two miles on a five-mile front. The artillery on the perimeter of their beach-head is shelling the Japanese position. The American casualties have been five killed (including two sailors drowned) and four wounded. Only 11 enemy dead have been found while two Japanese were taken prisoner. One had been severely wounded in the preliminary Allied aerial bombardment, while the other was discovered, unarmed and naked, hiding in a fox-hole. Everywhere evidence has bean found of the effect of the surprise landing on the small Japanese garrison. In the mess quarters untouched bowls of rice were on the tables. Bulldozers followed the infantry ashore at the landing, clearing a path for the tanks through the tangled jungle fringing the beaches. Field artillery was also brought ashore in the early stages of the operation. Work has already been begun repairing and extending the Saidor aerodrome. A distance of 90 miles now separates the Americans at Saidor and the Australians advancing northwards on the Huon Peninsula. The Australians wert last reported to be approaching Wald Bay, six miles north of Blucher Point.