Page:Papuan Campaign; The Buna-Sanananda Operation - Armed Forces in Action (1944).djvu/92

 talion was to attack west of the road, enveloping Japanese positions known to be located north of Fisk. Two troops of Australian 25-pounders and two tanks were assigned to support the regiment and fifteen 81-mm mortars were massed in Huggins.

The units of the 127th Infantry which were advancing from Tarakena had meanwhile expanded their bridgehead north of the Ko-



nombi Creek. On 12 January patrols had got 700 yards beyond the creek, passing a string of apparently abandoned bunkers. These bunkers lay just inland from the beach and were scattered through an area about 150 yards in depth. On their return our patrols found that the enemy had reoccupied his bunkers. The patrols were withdrawn and C Company attacked, supported by artillery and mortar fire and a 37-mm gun using canister. Three of the bunkers were taken that afternoon. Active patrolling continued until the 16th, 75