DRIVEN BACK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 19 October 1942, Page 5

DRIVEN BACK

JAPANESE IN PAPUA FIGHTING IN RANGES IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS Sydney, Oct. 18. Australian troops in the Owen Stanley Ranges have driven the Japanese from their positions near Templeton’s Crossing on the northern side of the gap. This was revealed in the latest communique from General MacArtliur’s headquarters. The first Japanese withdrawal was on Friday. No official Allied claims were made, but latest information makes it clear, however, that this strategic area of mountain heights is now back in Allied hands. No indication has been given of whether the enemy’s withdrawal from Templeton’s Crossing means that they have entirely vacated the ranges. However, it is widely believed among war commentators that once the Japanese were forced from their positions in the heights they would withdraw at least to the flat country around Kokoda, 12 miles by trail and 5000 feet below Templeton’s Crossing. For some days before this further enemy retreat Australian troops had been in steady contact with the Japanese, and fierce lighting occurred. Both sides employed mortars, with the Australians making strong frontal and

flanking attacks. The enemy defences were in considerable depth in rough, rocky country covered with jungle much lighter than on the lower slope* of the mountains. The advancing Australians are reported to have found hand grenades the most effective wea- • pon against the Japanese hidden in their artfully concealed foxholes. HIGH TRIBUTE PAID High tribute is paid to doctors and medical orderlies accompanying the Australian advance. Frequently doctors have worked ankle deep in mud operating on wounded men in grass huts lighted only by dimmed kerosene lamps. Enormous problems of supply have also been overcome to reach the area, six days’ normal trail distaice from Port Moresby roadhead. Commenting on this important success in the New Guinea campaign the Sydney “Sun” war correspondent writes: “Early and quick advance reports of small casualties and the apparent absence of Japanese in strength may lead to the belief that this has been an easy campaign. But every man who has trodden the track through the jungle slept tired and muscle-torn in wet clothes, lived for weeks on iron rations, and suffered incredible discomforts and has suffered hardships as great as those faced by any early explorers. To these have been added Japanese treetop snipers, active skirmishes and aggressive flank patrols.” “Allied aircraft have continued strafing attacks in the Buna-Kokoda area. Japanese positions near Mubo village inland from Salamaua have also been bombed, while armed reconnaissances planes machine-gunned enemy-occu-pied villages at the mouth and in the valley of the Mambare river 50 miles north-west of Buna. Reports of these air activities indicate some spread of Japanese occupation of the northern New Guinea coastline. —P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.