TROPICAL STORMS

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 251, 24 October 1942, Page 5

TROPICAL STORMS

GRIM MOUNTAIN FIGHTING ALLIED SUPPLY BIFFICULTY.

P.A. Gable.

SYDNEY, Oct. 23.

Severe tropical storms are hampering the Allied offensive near Eora Creek village where the Japanese are fighting grimly to hold their last positions in the heights of the Owen Stanley Range. But despite an incessant downpour, the attacks are still being pressed home. On Thursday a slight further advanee was made after frontal and flanking assaults. If the present rains are the beginning of New Guinea's rainy season (normally due early in November) the task of maintaining Allied supplies over slippery, muddy trails will be seriously compilicated. Recent Allied gains have been made only after stiff fighting, hut the extent of the casualties on either side has not been indicated. The spokesman at General MacArthur's headquarters said to-day that it was difflcult to provide aerial support for our troops at the present stage of the operations because of the closeness of the combat and the nature of the country, combined with the weathe rconditions. In the early mr jr Asmr jt jmsw jr JBar jt jtumr * * .rnmar s jastr ^ jb&

stages of the Allied advanee, when the opposing forces were usually well separated, enemy positions and supply lines were heavily strafed, but as the two forces have drawn together, close air support has ent&iled too many hazards to be practicable. After one month's respite to the day, Port Moresby was bombed early last night. Taking advantage of the moon, three enemy planes dropped their bombs without causing casualties or material damage.