JAP FANATICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 7, 10 January 1944, Page 5

JAP FANATICS

MAY HAVE BEEN DRUGGED BATTLES AT BORGEN BAY (Special Australian Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Recd. 7.30 p.m. Sydney, Jan. 9. The fanatical fury of Japanese charges again;, t American Marine positions near Bergen Bay, Cape Gloucester, western New Britain, has prompted the belief among some observers that the enemy troops were drugged. The Japanese hurled themselves into a storm of inachine-gun fire and were I slaughtered. ! Eight miles south of Cape Gloucester air-strip 200 Japanese attacked a greatly superior Marine force. The American commander told war correspondents that from their strongpoints the Marines could have held off a force of 2000 Japanese, but for three hours the enemy attacked until they were almost annihilated. Some of the Japanese were naked, wearing only a steel helmet and boots. General MacArthur's latest communique reports fresh gains by the Marines, who are now advancing on Borgen Bay, 10 miles east of their landing point. The Japanese are being forced back into the sea. An additional 200 enemy killed have been counted after the latest fighting. Australian and American troops are making steady progress in their converging drives into the Japanese-held northern strip of the Huon Peninsula. Each force is averaging about four miles a day through the jungle and they have narrowed the gap between them to 65 miles. Australian forward elements are to-day reported to be nearing Scharnhorst Point, at the northern tip of the Huon Peninsula, about eight air miles from Sio. No recent Japanese opposition to the Australian drive is reported. It is evident the enemy retreat is becom-