New GuineaThe Australian 39th Battalion, which has been joined by elements of the 2/14th Battalion, has reduced the enemy strength at Napapo to about half and is being relieved for action on the Sanananda front by the 2/16th and 2/27th Battalions. The Australians, supported by fire from the Americans, begin a concerted attack on the Sanananda front. The 2/7th Cavalry Regiment, having moved elements into the roadblock against firm opposition, attacks north along the Soputa-Sanananda trail, bypassing resistance just ahead of the block. The Australian 30th Brigade attacks at the track junction, employing 2 battalions in a frontal assault and another in a region east of the track, but makes little progress. Urbana Force attempts to clear Musita Island. Elements of Company I, 127th Infantry, reach the island by means of cable, but withdraw upon meeting heavy resistance. On the Warren front, a concerted assault against Cape Endaiadere and New Strip is spearheaded by tanks, which prove invaluable in reducing concrete and steel fortifications. After a preliminary air and ground bombardment, the Australian 2/9th Battalion begins an attack on Cape Endaiadere and soon breaks through the main enemy positions and reaches the objective. They then drive west along the coast until halted near Strip Point by a new line of bunkers. The 3rd Battalion of the US 128th Infantry mops up and establishes a defensive perimeter in the Duropa Plantation. Americans and Australians attack New Strip from the south and east. While the 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry, pushes toward the bridge between the strips, elements of the Australian 2/9th Battalion, reinforced during the day by the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, reduce the strongpoint at the end of New Strip and pursue the enemy west along the northern edge of the strip toward the bridge. The Australians sustain heavy casualties and lose 3 tanks in the action, which is otherwise highly successful. During the night, advance elements of thh Australian 2/10th Battalion at the front by sea. |