S10 UNDER SHELLFIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22246, 15 January 1944, Page 5

SlO UNDER SHELLFIRE

ADVANCE OF AUSTRALIANS (Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY, Jan. 14 Sio, the former Japanese supply base and barge staging point on the northern coast of Huon Peninsula, New Guinea, is being shelled by Australian artillery. More enemy troops have been killed trying to escape the Austra-lian-American .tend blockade between Sio and Saidor. When three barges were sunk near Sio on Monday night 90 Japanese were drowned. Two other barges were destroyed while loading troops and supplies at Sio. Using mainly 40ft. barges capable of carrying 100 men, the Japanese are endeavouring to sneak out of Sio under cover of darkness. Each of the three barges destroyed on Monday night was only partly loaded. Allied light naval units, which sunk the barges, are maintaining a vigilant day and night blockade of these coastal waters. Their efforts are reinforced by aircraft making daily reconnaissance sweeps .for hidden barges are likely loading points. Difficult River Forded The fording of the difficult Kapugara River, four miles from Sio, by the main body of Australian troops is now well advanced, reports today's communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters. Cliffs on the Japanese-held side of the river are 350 ft. high. The retreating enemy forces had scaled these walls by means of native ladders made of vines and jungle timber, and had destroyed them in their retreat. Before scaling the almost perpendicular cliff? in their retreat toward Sio, the Japanese finally abandoned all heavy stores. Boxes of ammunition, mines, medical supplies and new clothing had been left. The anticipated strong enemy resistance in this area has not so far eventuated. The Japanese are evidently concentiating on escaping rather than fignting. With the Americans astride the land trails to the north, their sole slim hope is to get away in barges. The latest reports from Saidor say the ground situation at the American beachhead is unchanged. A communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters today makes no mention of fighting at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, but reports successful American ground attacks, after artillery preparation, on Japanese positions at Arawe. It is now officially reported that the total American casualties at Cape Gloucester since the landings are 400 killed, wounded and missing, compared with 2400 counted -Japanese dead and a great number of wounded.