WELL CO-ORDINATED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 September 1943, Page 4

WELL CO-ORDINATED

ALLIED OPERATIONS IN NEW GUINEA PARATROOPS LINK UP WITH A.I.F. GROUND FORCE. MARKHAM VALLEY AIRFIELD . SEIZED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. American paratroops and a composite A.I.F. ground force have seized the Japanese airfield in Markham Valley, near Lae. The Australians reached the Markham Valley at the same time as the American paratroops and an Australian artillery unit were dropped from the air. The two forces immediately linked up and after taking possession of the airfield began to drive down the valley towards Lae, the investment of which is now complete. The amphibious A.I.F. force which landed north of Lae on Saturday is steadily closing in on the Japanese base and other Australian troops are approaching' on the eastern flank, from beyond Salamaua. Before setting our on a five-day trek, through some of the worst country in New Guinea, to join the American paratroops, the Australians were told that they were burning their bridges behind them. There would be no going back and casualties would have to move forward. The force, which included pioneers, bemoaned the fact that no Japanese were met. It kept in hiding in the jungle across the river from the point chosen for the paratroops’ landing. As soon as the first paratroops dropped, some Australians crossed the. river in camouflaged assault boats, while others prepared a pontoon bridge to carry the main force. Swamps and kunai grass c.n the other side of the river were combed for Japanese, but none were found. , . . . _ J HAPPY MEETING. On the trek through the jungle, the Australians carried machine-guns, mortars and ammunition, engineering equipment, rubber assault boats, radio apparatus and rations. Personal equipment was cut to a minimum. Every man was 'a swimmer. The force was accompanied by 800 natives. The only reporter to jump with the paratroops was Lieutenant Monte Kleban, Assistant Public Relations Officer on General MacArthur’s staff. Describing the meeting of the two forces, Lieutenant Kleban says: “Through the field came the Australians, happy, carefree, tough-looking and competent. With gleeful shouts tire Australians and Americans ran towards one another. These strangers stood on the trail and hugged one another like long-lost brothers, slapping backs and swapping smokes.” The American paratroops spent months in Australia rehearsing the landing in the Markham Valley. They made between 20 and 30 jumps over rough country as closely as possible resembling that of Lae and Salamaua. Selected for their toughness, few of these men are more than 5 feet nine inches in height. Mostly they are stockily built. ’Their doctors, chaplains and stretcher-bearers jump with them. Each man is equipped with a tommygun, automatic carbine, knife, ammunition, grenades, medical supplies and rations. “REMARKABLE SHOW” AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERYMEN WHO PARACHUTED. SOME MAKING THEIR FIRST JUMP. (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. General Blarney is enthusiastic about the Australian artillerymen who parachuted, with their guns, into the Markham Valley. “It was a remarkable show,” he said. “We had no chance to train these fellows at all. They were just taken out, only days ago, and given one jump. I understand a few of them had n.ot even had that, and they made their first jump on Sunday. They were all determined to be in it if they, could. It was a great performance.” General MacArthur decided to lead the paratroops after a visit to their camp, two days befoi'e the' attack. To their unit commander, he said: “Tell your boys I have complete confidence in them.” General MacArthur flew in “The Talisman” Flying Fortress, which has been in 65 combat .missions. The plane has taken part in every action since the Japanese landings at Buna and Milne Bay, thirteen months ago. It •is credited with sinking five Japanese ships, including a cruiser.