HEAVIEST RAID

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 114, 16 May 1942, Page 7

HEAVIEST RAID

ON PORT MORESBY

Defenders Repulse Enemy Successfully

British Official Wireless Rec. 2 p.m RUGBY, May 15. Yesterday's Japanese attack on Port Moresby, in which 48 Japanese bombers and fighters took part, was one of the heaviest yet experienced. The first wave of 13 Zeros was intercepted by Allied fighters and two of the Japanese planes shot down. Later, 26 bombers, escorted by nine Zeros, attacked the port, but the antiaircraft fire kept them at a high altitude and bombs fell harmlessly in the harbour.

The Allied Air Force attacked shipping in Rabaul harbour, damaging one transport, said a communique issued yesterday from Allied Headquarters. The communique continued: "Our planes were intercepted by 17 enemy fighters, seven of which were shot down. All our planes returned.

"Deboyne Island, a seaplane base in the Louisiade Archipelago, was attacked by our air force. One seaplane was sunk and fires were started In ground installations." The Vichy radio reports that the Japanese are massing large naval and transport units north-east of Aus-

♦ u Australian Air Department has told how a handful of Australian and British plots, many operating from secret aerodromes at Palembang, Sumatra, wrought havoc for 24 hours on February 15 among invading Japanese forces of 40 naval vessels and transports, which were approaching the Palembang area. The British bombers and fighters attacked, bombing and machine-gunning the ships, w /}J ch were loading barges packed with soldiers. The transports, barges and destroyers were attacked from mast height. One 10,000-ton ship and one of 4000 tons, packed with trops, were sunk, while one of 5000 tons and another of 3500 tons were left blazing. It is estimated that 20 barges were sunk and three Japanese planes destroyed. Five were damaged during the engagement.