RAPID ADVANCE IN NEW GUINEA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 11, 8 October 1943, Page 5

RAPID ADVANCE IN NEW GUINEA

Little Opposition Met ENTIRE PENINSULA THREATENED (Received October 7, 9.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 7. Australian troops driving down the Ramu River valley in New Guinea have advanced rapidly and are now at Dumpu. This represents an advance of seven miles from Kaigulun, the occupation which was reported yesterday. Dumpu is 42 air miles from Kaiapit, the first village occupied by the Australians in their drive up the Markham Valley, which runs into the Ramu Valley. The occupation of Dumpu brings the Australians within about 20 air miles from the end of the motor road built by the Japanese south from 80-, gadjhn to Madang, one of their principal bases on the north New Guinea COaSt - ~ , • L c The Japanese are withdrawing beiore our swift drive and the Australians are meeting with little opposition, A war correspondent in the area suggests that the Allied advance now threatens to cut off the' entire Huon Peninsula. As Fumpu had a civil aerodrome before its occupation by the Japanese, this village may become a forward base to\' Allied air operations against Madang, about 60 miles away, and other enemy key-points in north-western New Guinea. The Japanese showed considerable interest in this area before, the Allied seizure of Salamaua —Lae —Finschhafen. Allied Planes Active. Today’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters, reporting the occupation of Eumpu, also gives details of widespread air activity in which Allied planes blasted enemy installations and supply lines. Round Bogadjun itself, Liberators and Flying Fortresses extensively damaged roads and bridges. Round Saidor, Mitchell medium bombers swept the coastal belt, bombing and. strafing Japanese-occupied villages ana destroying or damaging eight barges. Catalinas and Liberators concentrated on targets at the western end of Dutch New Guinea, where they created havoc in the waterfront areas of Kokas Bira and Manokwari. T . T ., North of Kavieng, New Ireland, a Diberator on reconnaissance bombed an enemy light cruiser with unobserved results. Close aerial attention to the Jananese bases on New Britain has seriously restricted the use of their scattered airfields in the area. Though damaged airstrips are put back into speedy service, it is likely that the Japanese for some weeks have been able to make little use of Cape Gloucester or Gasmata. , From the Solomons come reports indicating that the Japanese continue to evacuate Kolombangara Island.