MACASSAR ATTACKED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 218, 25 June 1943, Page 3

MACASSAR ATTACKED.

LONG TRIP BY LIBERATORS. SYDNEY, June 24. A Japanese cruiser and a cargo vessel were hit. when a strong formation of American-manned Liberator bombers made a round trip of 2000 miles on Wednesday to attack Macassar, the important enemy base in the Celebes. Five other ships were seen in the harbour. It is officially claimed that this is the second longest distance ever flown by raiding land-based bombers in. any war theatre. The longest raid was made by American planes based on Hawaii, which raided the Japaneseheld Wake Island—involving a flight of 2400 miles. Reporting on the raid on: Macassar, General MacArthur’s communique today says : “Our heavy bombers at midday struck at the major enemy base of Macassar, dropping over 8 tons of incendiaries and liigh-explosives ranging up toi 20001 bs each on the town, docks and shipping in the harbour, and causing heavy damage. Numerous hits on Juliana and Willielminn. wharves and in the town .itself started fires visible 70 miles away. Direct bits with heavy bombs were scored on an enemy cruiser moored, to the dock, and on a cargo vessel in the harbour. A single enemy fighter intercepted and was destroyed. Heavy anti-aircraft- fire was encountered from flic ship and the shore. One of our planes failed to return.