To the west , American and Australian forces Hostile_encounter under General Douglas MacArthur had moved up Motion through the Southwest Pacific , isolating Removing or overrunning Destroying many Japanese strong points as part of Operation Cartwheel .

Drifts Self_motion up to high blocked Hindering roadways , isolating Hindering some communities and forcing Causation emergency workers to rely on snowmobiles for transportation .

In Lika , two guard brigades quickly cut the ARSK-held area ( which lacked tactical depth and mobile reserve forces ) , isolating pockets of resistance , positioning a mobile force for a decisive northward thrust Motion into the Karlovac Corps area of responsibility ( AOR ) , and pushing ARSK towards Banovina .