ATTACK DRIVEN HOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1943, Page 3

ATTACK DRIVEN HOME

FINSCHHAFEN TAKEN BY AUSTRALIANS THIRD ENEMY BASE LOST IN THREE WEEKS. JAPANESE CASUALTIES HEAVY. SYDNEY, October 3. The Japanese base at Finsehhafen, on the Huon Peninsula of New Guinea, fell yesterday morning to troops of the Australian Ninth Division, which distinguished 'itself in the battle of Alainpin in Egypt. Today’s communique from General MacArthur reports that all organised enemy resistance has been overcome, and the entire Finschhafen area is now in our hands. The final onslaught was preceded by an air preparation of the attack and by dive bombing of the enemy’s positions near Kokakcg, on the outskirts of the township, following which the Australians took them by assault. No estimate of the Japanese casualties is yet available, but the heavy and accurate bombing by Allied aircraft is known to have inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. Our casualties have been light. In under three weeks the Japanese have lost three important coastal bases in New Guinea —Salamaua, Lae and Finschhafen.

Australians who stormed Finschhafen from the flank climbed over spurs of jungle so wild and steep that the Japanese defenders obviously considered them impassable, says the official war correspondent, Kenneth Slessor. The A.I.F. men literally cut their way up heights, hacking steps in the mountainside as they went to make the going easier for those following. Along the tracks they made the Australians carried equipment., and., supplies forward and wounded back. All the time they fought while their positions were swept by Japanese fire from mortars and machine-guns. Another Australian force operating in the Markham Valley, after landing from air transports near Kaiapit, has a strong grip on the inland supply trail linking the Huon Peninsula with Madang, on the north-east coast of New Guinea. It has reached the headwaters of the Ramu River, 70 miles from Madang. After advancing for four days without sighting the enemy, our patrols ambushed 100 Japanese near Kesawai, killing 45 and wounding many others. THREE ENEMY SHIPS SUNK BY AMERICAN AIRCRAFT. DIRECT HITS ON ANOTHER VESSEL. SYDNEY, October 3. American Liberator bombers sank three Japanese ships, including a destroyer, in the attack on i.n the Central Solomons on Thursday night. A fourth large ship received two direct hits on the stern. The convoy of 11 ships was attempting to run Admiral Halsey’s blockade. General MacArthur’s communique reporting the attack, says one ship was destroyed by an explosion followed by fires visible for 20 miles. Another ship when hit capsized and sank. The destroyer exploded after four direct hits. A South Pacific war correspondent says it was the first attempt by the Japanese for’ more than two months to sneak anything larger than a barge through Admiral Halsey’s blockade. The convey, comprising destroyers and several troop and cargo vessels, was spotted late in tile afternoon coming down from Buka Island. The Liberators roared up from the south and at 7.30 p.m. began a series of attacks which lasted for an hour. The moonless tropic darkness made observation of the destruction difficult. In Vella Gulf, Allied naval surface units caught a force of enemy barges attempting a blockade run between Choiseul and Kolombangara Islands, sinking nine and severely damaging five others. An escorting enemy plane was short down. A strong force of Admiral Halsey’s bombers blasted a Japanese barge depot at Kakasa, in Choiseul Island, causing heavy damage and starting fires. Fighters strafed enemy barges off the coast. Off Bougainville Island Allied reconnaissance aircraft intercepted and shot down a Japanese medium bomber.