SALAMAUA MENACED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1943, Page 3

SALAMAUA MENACED

AUSTRALIANS TWO MILES AWAY CAPTURE OF COMMANDING RIDGE. BOMBERS UNCHALLENGED. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, August 20. With the capture of Bobdubi ridge, reported in today’s communique from General MacArthur’s Headquarters, the Allied land forces are now only about two miles from the enemy airstrip at Salamaua, in Northern New Guinea. The Komiatum Trail, by which the Japanese supply their forward positions, has been cut, and the Allied threat to the enemy garrison at Salamaua itself has been considerably increased. The latest gain was made by Australian troops, who now command all the high ground on a three-mile front. Some of the positions overlook Salamaua. War correspondents in this area report that the Allied forces have also occupied the whole 2000 yards length of Roosevelt Ridge, which was captured a few days ago after months of solid fighting backed by heavy air and artillery barrages. This ridge extends inland from the sea. The Japanese, however, continue to occupy some dominating positions. Allied troops at forward posts arc now able to watch our aerial assaults on Salamaua. The latest attacks were made on Thursday by Flying Fortresses and Liberators. Our bombers were completely unchallenged. The Japanese did not put up any anti-aircraft fire and there was no attempt at fighter interception.

IN THE SOLOMONS MOPPING UP NEAR MUNDA. AIR ATTACKS ON SHIPPING. SYDNEY, August 20. The only report on ground activity in the Solomons is that a small pocket of Japanese resistance which developed on Baanca Island, off the New Georgian coast near Munda, is being liquidated. It is believed a small enemy force escaped to Baanca from Munda. It was reported earlier that Munda was shelled by enemy artillery on Baanca. Allied light surface units continue to be active in the Kula Gulf between Bairoko and Vila. Enemy barges were dispersed during the night. Liberators on Wednesday scored near misses against a 7000-ton enemy merchantman off Kavieng, New Ireland. North of Australia, another Liberator struck and seriously damaged a small enemy coastal vessel and a lugger.