STRATEGIC GAIN IN RANGES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 32, 2 November 1942, Page 5

STRATEGIC GAIN IN RANGES

Australian Success (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—()opyriglit.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received November 1, 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 1. Australian troops who captured Alola village on Friday are now pushing along the last northern Spur of the Owen Stanley Ranges. This is an important strategical gain since the Japanese have thus been driven from the narrowest and most easily defended section of the Eora Valley area. The next objective of our forces is Isurava village on the same ridge as Alola and about two hours’ march away. The advancing troops have still to contend with heavy forest and precipitous terrain, but to the north beyond Isurava, the going favours faster action. A spur, of which the northern extremity is now being defended by the Japanese, has been the main strongpoint in the enemy defensive system in the heights of the ranges. In this area, the Australian advance has been slowed down to about seven miles in 14 days. Fierce fighting occurred on Wednesday, but slackened off on Thursday, and the occupation of Alola village was finally accomplished with little opposition. The village is slightly off the main track and comprises seven grass huts, mostly burnt out by bombings. It is seven and a half air miles from Kokoda, where the Japanese hold the only airfield in central Papua. Past Isurava, the track drops steeply through Deniki to Kokoda, which is 5000 feet below Isurava and only 1200 feet above sea level. In air attacks supporting the Australian troops, our planes on Saturday strafed targets of opportunity near Isurava. The enemy’s north Papuan bases at Lae, Salamaua and Buna have also been attacked by our medium bombers.