ENEMY CENTRES OUTFLANKED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 8, 5 October 1943, Page 5

ENEMY CENTRES OUTFLANKED

Effect Of Capture Of Finschhafen

VALUE OF SURPRISE (Uy Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received October 4, 8.45 p.m.)

SYDNEY, October 4,

“The capture of Fiuschhafen ensures our complete control of the Huon Gulf,” says today’s communique from General MacArthur. A simultaneous air ground movement of 200 miles up the Markham Valley through the centre of inland New Guinea gives us control of the entire Huon Peninsula. It has outflanked and contained all the enemy centres between Finschhafen and Madang and rendered practically useless his numerous positions and installations along the coast.

“The speed of this double envelopment apparently caught the enemy completely by surprise and lias resulted not only in the dislocation of his grip on British New Guinea, hut has caused him large Josses, with no compensating damage inflicted on our own forces. Our own forces losses have been extraordinarily light.

“Our forces have always been less than those available to the enemy, but the element of surprise, based on the closeiy co-ordinated action of the three elements of ground, sea and air has prevented him from concentrating at critical points. Adverse weather has hindered all air operations in the area.” The communique also reports that Allied fighters shot down two enemy bombers over New Britain. In raids on Now Britain by our bombers, enemy positions at Gasmata, Garove Island and Rooke Island were pounded aud two villages were strafed. , In a daylight attack on Amboina Island. Allied heavy 'bombers dropped many tons of explosives on the town of Ambon, causing heavy damage aud starting large fires.