JAPANESE POSTS CARRIED

Southland Times, Issue 24889, 31 October 1942, Page 5

JAPANESE POSTS CARRIED

Allied Troops Use Bayonet

(Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 30. Allied troops have made bayonet assaults against Japanese strong posts near Alola and have driven the enemy from advanced positions. Twenty prisoners were taken in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. It is believed that the enemy also lost considerable numbers killed and, wounded. The attack was made at dusk. on Thursday, and today’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters states that the Allied advance continues. How much trail distance has been gained is not revealed. The most important development is. that the enemy has finally been dislodged from prepared positions, which he has held tenaciously for more than a week in face of unremitting Allied pressure. This action is the first in the New Guinea campaign in which general headquarters has made official reference to the use of the bayonet. War correspondents stress the difficulties confronting the attackers. Unceasing, heavy rain has seriously hampered porterage of Allied supplies over the Port Moresby-Buna track, which in the area of the fighting seems to cling to a precipitous mountain face affording only a limited opportunity for the flanking attacks, which have repeatedly “softened” enemy positions. In addition persistently thick weather has prevented the Allies from exploiting their air superiority in unrelenting attacks on the enemy’s forward positions. It is not known whether the Allied troops have yet reached Alola village, but continued enemy resistance is expected in all areas suitable for defence. The shortening of the Japanese supply line has given the enemy some pronounced advantages, which must further be increased as the Allies continue to advance. Havoc battle planes on Thursday made strafing and bombing raids along the enemy supply route. The Japanese responded with a night raid on Port Moresby by two planes only. Slight damage was done.