BITTER FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 October 1943, Page 3

BITTER FIGHTING

IN FINSCHHAFEN AREA IN NEW GUINEA STRONG JAPANESE FORCE ISOLATED. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION LIKELY. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, October 21. Bitter land lighting is taking place in New Guinea north of Finschhai'en. Several thousands of the Ninth Division of the A.I.F. and enemy troops are involved. Determined attacks by an isolated Japanese force have been repulsed with more than 200 killed.

A strong enemy force cut off in the Satelberg area, six miles north-west of Finschhai'en, is apparently trying to break through to the coast near the mouth of the Song River. The beleaguered Japanese were driven back to the Satelberg heights when the Australians occupied Finschhafen. Entirely cut off from supplies and outside assistance, they are in a precarious position. Just south of the Song River the Japanese made some progress in the Katika sector, but they were caught between two forces of Australian troops and war correspondents say their complete destruction is likely. Before this is accomplished, some of the fiercest fighting of the whole Huon Peninsula campaign may take place. In the Ramu Valley, another Australian force continues to make progress toward the terminus of the Japanese coastal supply road at Bogadjim. General MacArthur’s communique today also reports that after patrol clashes in the Ramu Valley area 72 enemy dead were counted. In support of our ground operations medium bombers attacked bridges and villages along the Bogadjim road. When Admiral Halsey’s fighters on offensive patrol swept over Ballele aerodrome they were intercepted by 40 enemy fighters. Without suffering loss themselves they shot down 14 enemy machines, and probably destroyed two others.