INCREASED ENEMY ACTIVITY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 3 September 1942, Page 5

INCREASED ENEMY ACTIVITY

THREAT TO PORT MORESBY BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS Sydney, Sept. 2. Increased enemy activity in the Kokoda sector in Papua may mean that the Japanese having failed at Milne Bay intend to try forcing their way to Port Moresby across the difficult Owen Stanley mountains. Such efforts would probably be supported by a simultaneous move on Port Moresby from another direction. Persistent infiltration in the direction of the mountains is occurring and the enemy is now in high country beyond Kokoda. Fighting on an increased scale is reported about 2000 feet above sea level. To-day’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters says: “Our ground forces are closely engaged in jungle fighting against enemy thrusts of increasing strength.” War correspondents report bayonet clashes occurred between opposing patrols. Although the tempo of the action is rising, fighting up to date cannot be described as heavy. The enemy has barely begun to tackle the hardest portion of his task on this sector. Meantime Japanese moves are handicapped by adverse weather and flooding of rivers at vital points. The main enemy thrusts during the past few days are said to have been directed against some steep slopes leading to a pass through the ranges. Allied fighter aircraft have closely supported our ground defences. On Tuesday two strong strafing attacks were made on advanced enemy positions and on their lines of communication along which supplies are being moved from Buna to Kokoda. It is understood the attacks were made by Airacorbas, which stormed along the valleys in the foothills of the range. Japanese aircraft have not yet attempted to support their troops in this sector. MILNE BAY OPERATIONS “Scattered jungle fighting of the guerrilla type continues at Milne Bay,” says to-day’s communique, referring to continued mopping-up operations by Australian troops. Increased numbers of dead Japanese are being found by the advancing Australians. The casualties caused by Allied fighter sweeps are evidently high. Whatever the reason for the Japanese withdrawal from Milne Bay it was certainly a hurried operation. Religious considerations as well as fear that enemy intelligence might discover valuable information from notebooks and equipment ordinarily impel the Japanese to gather up their dead before retiring. On this occasion even some wounded were left behind.—P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.