FALL OF SATELBERG

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1943, Page 3

FALL OF SATELBERG

AUSTRALIAN ASSAULT ' DRIVEN HOME VITAL TRAIL TO COAST CUT. SEVERE ENEMY LOSSES OF MEN & MATERIAL. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, November 28. Satelberg, the last Japanese stronghold on the 'Muon Peninsula, New Guinea, fell last Friday after a nine days’ assault by Australian troops, who grimly battled their way through the enemy’s main defences, 2500 feet above sea level, and have pursued the fleeing enemy four miles to the north. They have occupied four villages beyond Satelberg. The Japanese losses have been severe and the Australians have captured much military equipment, including field guns and other munitions. The main enemy force is believed to be retreating along the Wareo trail, which winds to the far northern end of the Huon Peninsula. General MacArthur's communique today reports that Australian troops on the north-east New Guinea coast have cut the Bonga-Wareo trail, an important enemy supply line linking Satelberg and its rear area with the coast. No official estimate has yet been given of the number of Japanese killed in the "capture of Satelberg, but the number is believed to be high.

IN THE SOLOMONS

BOUGAINVILLE BRIDGEHEAD ENLARGED. NEW LANDING BY AMERICANS. SYDNEY, November 28. Heavy fighting has occurred at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville Island, where American forces have again enlarged their beachhead. They have extended their perimeter a further 800 yards. Japanese troops, contesting the American gain are believed to have come overland. United States troops and tanks have made a new landing on the west coast of Bougainville, in the northern Solotnons. They landed on Tuesday at the Piva River, three miles south of the (marines’ original landing point on Empress Augusta Bay on November 1. The new landing forces were shell-' ed by Japanese 77 mm. guns on Magine Island, near Empress Augusta. United States destroyers silenced the enemy artillery after casualties had been inflicted. BITTER BATTLE EAST OF EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY. VERY HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES. LONDON. November 28. The Americans on Bougainville after fighting a bitter battle, have pushed the Japanese back another 800 yards east of Empress Augusta Bay. So severe was the fighting that the enemy lost more men in this one battle than in any other on the island. Enemy reinforcements are arriving from the other side of the island, but the Americans have won the bridgehead.