ANOTHER CLASH IN PAPUA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 262, 4 August 1942, Page 5

ANOTHER CLASH IN PAPUA

Enemy Vanguard Driven Back JUNGLE CONTACT (By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, August 3. Allied patrols, after fierce engagements, have driven the Japanese land forces from some of their advanced positions in the Kokoda area in Papua. Contact was made in heavy jungle country, and the forward enemy troops were' compelled to withdraw. Our air force, supported the operations of our land troops, bombing and strafing enemy positions and supply dumps.

Light machineguns and mortars are believed to have been used by the enemy in the jungle fighting for the possession of Kokoda village and airfield. It is stated that every third Japanese soldier carries a mortar and that mortar barrages have been laid down during the enemy advances. A general headquarters spokesman said today that reconnaissance aircraft have reported no reinforcement of the enemy forces. About 2500 men were originally landed at. Gona. He pointed out that it vas not impossible for the Japanese to have brought reinforcements overland from Lae and Salamaua, though the nature of the country would make this difficult. Cruiser Bombed Again.

Allied medium and heavy bombers have raided the enemy positions in the Buna-Gona landing zone. There is evidence that the Japanese now have ■air support in the area. Five Zeros and one twin-engined plane were shot down, and two of our fighters and one bomber are missing. Beating off an interception attempt by two enemy float-planes, our bombers made their third attack on the Japanese cruiser in the Banda Sea. The fact that the cruiser has been in the same area since the original attack two days earlier is believed to indicate that she has been severely damaged. The results of the latest attack were not observed. Today’s Allied headquarters communique also reveals a bombing raid on an enemy aerodrome at Lae. An Allied reconnaissance unit over Salamaua shot down an intercepting enemy fighter.