STRUGGLE IN NEW GUINEA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 15, 13 October 1943, Page 5

STRUGGLE IN NEW GUINEA

Loosening Enemy Grip INDESCRIBABLY HARD CAMPAIGN

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.)

(Received October 12, 9 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 12.

The Japanese are not getting out of New Guinea. This is the opinion of the “Sydney Morning Herald’s” war correspondent in the territory. Even though Japanese grand strategy may write off Now Guinea as unimportant in their final scheme, he says they will certainly strive hard to maintain their loosening grip. Enemy guerrilla bands are already carrying on a stiff fight in the mountainous area inland from Finselihafen, and are also exploiting their nuisance value along the coast to the north. “The Japanese can hold out for a long time provided he has ammunition and is able to plunder gardens or rice stores',” writes the correspondent. He has been well equipped and reasonably well fed. “Closer search of the Lae area . has revealed enemy supplies buried at widelydispersed points. The capacity of the Japanese to wait patiently in the wilderness is amazing. On the voyage to Lae, men of the A.1.1P. Ninth Division were convinced that the enemy was in for a beating, and that within a month there would not be one Japanese left in New Guinea. Most of these men said that as fighters the Japanese were .‘second rate Italians when you get them in the open. The Japanese technique, however, is not to be caught in the open.” Enemy Morale Sags.

New Guinea commentators say that the enemy’s morale is lower than in the days of his quick success. Today, the Japanese docs not swagger and prisoners wear a look of miserable uncertainty. Nevertheless, recent Allied gains have not been made without cost. Our casualties have not been unduly heavy, but the campaign has been indescribably hard m the conditions under which our men were required to make their way. The jungle with its tearing vines above and deep mud underfoot was something new to the men of the Ninth Division, but they mastered it. ’ Today, soundly beaten at Lae and Finselihafen.-the enemy has been pressed back through the Ramu Valley to the very door of Madang. When this base goee, only Wewak will remain as a Japanese strongpoint in the eastern section of New Guinea.