DOGGED ADVANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1943, Page 3

DOGGED ADVANCE

THROUGH VERY DIFFICULT COUNTRY MADE BY AUSTRALIANS IN NEW GUINEA. HEAVY AIR POUNDING OF ENEMY BASES. (Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY, December 8. The Australian force driving across the mountains of the Huon Peninsula from Satelberg toward Wareo is traversing some of New Guinea’s most difficult terrain. The slow progress of its seven miles advance reflects the appalling nature of the country rather than the strength of the opposition. General MacArthur's communique today reports continued sharp fighting in the area. The two A.I.F. columns making inland drives against Wareo have now ■joined, but they have been pinned down near Kuanko, a village only 80i) yards from Wareo. The Japanese hold dominating positions but are being subjected to a concentrated artillery and mortar bombardment. Supply, too, is presenting difficulties to the Australians and large numbers of troops and native carriers are being employed to porter food and ammunition across e series of ravines and precipices overlaid with tangled jungle. The supply route measures only 3| miles on th? map, but 3000ft.' climbs stretch th? actual distance to 12 miles. About four miles from Wareo a third Australian column supported by tanks is driving along the northern coast of the peninsula in an effort to cut the Japanese supply lines. This purpose is also being supported by Allied aircraft and light naval units. Our bombers, attack planes and fighters are persistently raiding supply points and lines of communications, and motor torpedo-boats take mounting toll of enemy barges endeavouring to run stores. General MacArthur’s communique today reports the destruction of eight large supply-laiden rafts in the northern waters of the peninsula.

Japanese bases in western New Britain continue to take a heavy pounding from General MacArthur’s bombers. In 15 days, about 700 tons of explosives have been dropped in the Cape Gloucester area which has also .been strafed with many thousands of rounds of ammunition. The latest of four large-scale attacks reported in the communique was made on Monday when 150 tons of bombs blanketed the target. There has been a cessation of ground fighting in the -Empress Augusta Bay area, but Admiral Halsey's aircraft' have maintained relentless attacks against, supply points on Bougainville. Several villages including former mission stations have been attacked.