PRESSING ON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1942, Page 3

PRESSING ON

AUSTRALIANS IN NEW GUINEA POSITIONS TAKEN IN BAYONET ASSAULTS. SUPPLY & OTHER PROBLEMS. LONDON, October 30. lii New Guinea, the Australians are still pressing on towards Kokoda, with the Japanese defending every possible position. Allied troops have made bayonet assaults against Japanese strongposts near Alola, in the Owen Stanley Ranges, and have driven the enemy from his advanced positions, a special Australian correspondent reports. Twenty prisoners were taken in fierce hand-to-hand fighting. It is believed that the enemy also lost considerable numbers in killed and wounded. The attack was made at dusk yesterday, 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 the prepared positions which he has held tenaciously for more than a week in the face of the unremitting Allied pressure. The action was 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 which confront the attackers. Unceasing heavy rain has seriously hampered the porterage of Allied supplies over the Port Moresby-Buna track, which in the area of the fighting seems to cling to the precipitous mountain face and affords only limited opportunity for the flanking attacks which have repeatedly “softened” the enemy positions. In addition the persistently thick weather has prevented the Allies from exploiting their air superiority in unrelenting attacks on the enemy’s forward positions. ’lt is not known whether Allied troops have yet reached Alola village, but continued enemy resistance is expected in all areas which are suitable for defence. The shortening of the Japanese supply line has given the enemy some pronounced advantages, which must be further increased as the Allies continue to advance.

Havoc battle planes yesterday 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. Leader Page (Must)