SOLOMONS RAIDED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 66, 19 March 1942, Page 7

SOLOMONS RAIDED

TULAGI AND FLORIDA Attack And Counter-attack On Island Bases United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 1.30 am. CANBERRA, this day. -Japanese aircraft carried out raids to-day on Tulagi and Florida in the Solomon Islands, says a communique. There were two raids on the former island, the first by three enemy flying boats early in the morning when 18 bombs were dropped from 1000 ft, resulting in three natives being killed and some property damaged. The second raid on Tulagi was made by 14 flying boats and five heavy bombers. High explosives fell in the sea and on,the town, but no casualties or damage are reported. Continuing the offensive against the Japanese in Australia's near north, Allied planes yesterday swooped on enemy-occupied aerodromes at Koepang, in Timor, and dropped bombs from 5000 ft on their targets, in spite of poor visibility. Enemy fighters unsuccessfully attempted to intercept the raiders. Raid alarms were sounded both at Darwin and Port Moresby (New Guinea) yesterday, but no attacks developed. The communique dealing with these operations added that enemy air reconnaissance was carried out yesterday over Ambasi, Dogura and Samari. The renewal of air attacks on Darwin is believed in some quarters in Australia to be an indication that the Japanese may attempt a landing soon. An Australian spokesman said: "You know the Japanese pattern, bomb and then land."