FINAL STAGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 November 1942, Page 4

FINAL STAGES

OF BATTLE FOR PAPUA EXPECTED TO BE FOUGHT AROUND BUNA. GONA VILLAGE TAKEN BY AUSTRALIANS. (Special Australian Correspondent). (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The last stages of the battle for Papua are expected to be fought out around Buna village. Here American troops are attacking the major strength of the Japanese force, which is supported by artillery. Reports from the Americans state that the Japanese also have been using anti-aircraft guns, depressed to their limit, as field guns, as well as mortars with a range of 4,000 yards. It is believed that the Australian troops may already have taken Gona village. The combined Australian and American force which captured Soputa, six miles inland from Buna, on Saturday, is now reported to have pushed on three miles to the Sangara plantation area. The enemy has strong defences here, but a successful Allied drive would split the Japanese defenders at Buna and Gona and would clinch the victory. . TT , Don Carswell, an American United Press correspondent now in the Buna area, says heavy rains have hampered the attackers, who are opposed to a marine force from Formosa. The Japanese are well clothed and equipped. Some of their equipment bears the 1942 stamp. Several columns have converged on Buna, where the main weight of the Allied air attacks has also been concentrated. Although the Japanese are being driven back at all points by the Allied attack, they are fighting stubbornly for every yard of ground. ~, J The “Sydney Morning Herald today expresses an editorial opinion that the Japanese hoped to save the day in Papua by a victory at Guadalcanal in that naval battle which, eight days ago, brought them only crushing defeat. Belated efforts to relieve their Papuan expedition during the past five days have cost them a cruiser, two destroyers and a number of landing craft, as well as 34 planes. Commenting on the marked Allied air and ground superiority, the “Herald” adds: “What is surprising is the absence so far of any mention of coordinated Allied naval support on a scale which would have cut off the Japanese line of retreat or reinforcement. Such support would seem a natural corollary of the Solomons naval action. Admiral Halsey, however, is not the man to neglect the fruits of victory. “It may be that truer synchronisation of his (Admiral Halsey’s) offensive plans with those of General MacArthur must await an advance from Guadalcanal, through the Northern Solomons against Rabaul.”