STRONG DEFENCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 September 1943, Page 3

STRONG DEFENCES

STORMED BY ALLIED FORCES SOUTH OF SALAMAUA DOOMED GARRISON IN FULL RETREAT. LEAVING HUNDREDS OF DEAD. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) SYDNEY, September 12. A smashing attack by Allied forces has driven the Japanese from strong positions on Scout Ridge, south ol their advance base at Salamaua. The Japanese are in full retreat after leaving many hundreds of dead and much equipment, including artillery. Allied troops are pressing after the fleeing enemy.

This important success, which is reported in today’s communique from General MacArthur:, will hasten the annihilation of the doomed garrison defending Salamaua. Allied losses in the attack, which was made after heavy artillery preparation, were light, amounting to only a fraction of those inflicted on the enemy.

The Japanese defences in the area had consisted of a series of stronglyprepared positions on precipitous spurs and knells. The Japanese stronghold was encircled 11 days ago by Americans, who made a detour through the jungle after abandoning frontal attacks. Later, Australians joined the Americans. The enemy fought bitterly but unavailingly. In the battle which drove him from this stronghold. Allied forces on the north side of the Francisco River have made more progress, and the Japanese are withdrawing toward the township of Salamaua. ATTACK ON LAE.

The forces closing in from two sides on Lae continue to develop contact with the enemy’s main defensive positions. Only small sniper units have challenged Australian patrols who crossed the Busu River. The main body of the A.I.F. which landed in the Huon Gulf, is drawn up on the eastern bank of the river two miles from Malahang aerodrome, and less than four miles from Lae. The river is swollen by heavy rains, increasing the difficulty of a large-scale crossing, but this is unlikely to delay a major attack on Lae. The Allied forces driving down the Markham Valley are closing in .on Heath’s Plantation, eight miles from Lae.