JAP. AIR POWER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 237, 7 October 1942, Page 3

JAP. AIR POWER

SIGN OF STIFFENING

More Pianos In the South-west

Pacific Areas

All mr.i 1 j;i11 Correspondent

SYDNEY, Oct. 6

Seventeen Japanese planes have f hot flown over the New Guinea and New Britain area and in the Solomon-;. Seven of these were destroyed by aircraft of General Mac Arthur's command.

It appears that a stiffening of enemy air opposition in the Southwest Pacific i- in pro-.p< ct. A small Japanese convoy, consisting of one large transport, and two destroyers, was twice attacked by 2."> Allied medium bombers on Tuesday. The ships were moving away from the enemy North Papuan base at Buna, which they had apparently visited under cover of darkness.

No indication has boon given whether more supplies have been landed or some of the enemy's force evacuated. The enemy vessels evidently were headed for Rabaul. They were protected by Zero lighters. The first formation of Allied bombers to attack the convoy was intercepted by about six Zeros. Two hOurs later, when a second bomber 1 orce made attacks, the enemy's tighter protection was increased to ab6ut 12 Zeros. At. least, three enemy planes were shot down, while one r>f our aircraft, is missing. The results of the attack on the convoy could not be observed. Sanananda. five miles north-west of Buna, has been attacked by formations of Flying Fortresses and Havoc attack bombers. Barges on the beach were destroyed, a supply dump was blown up and damage was done to defences. Heavy fire from the ground was encountered, but. there was- no attempt at. lighter interception. Heaviest. Flying Fortress Attack In a dawn attack on the Japanese base at Rabaul, New Britain, Flying Fortresses dropped 12 ions of bombs on the aerodrome runways and dispersal areas. Twenty Zero fighters intercepted and in a running battle lasting 50 minutes four enemy planes were shot down and others damaged. One Allied plane is missing. The Flying Fortress concentration was the largest ever sent against the Japanese in this area, but. owing to exceptionally difficult weather only a small part of the force reached the Rabaul target. Increased Japanese fighter plane opposition, particularly in the Rabaul area, Is not. unexpected. In spite of many indications that Japans a'r strength is lagging, the Sydney Morning Herald's military correspondent suggests that appearances may he deceptive and permit of othe: explanations. . He says: "Anv air position may change with astounding rapidity and Japan may have been deliberately husbanding her available resources for some new and unexpected blow Nevertheless, it is highly suggestive that Japanese air power in New Guinea in particular should have dwindled so completely in the last few weeks." Although the Japanese may strengthen their air forces in New Britain and the Northern Solomon.., as well as in the islands n . ort j\ ° Australia, it seems unlikely, in view of our command of the New Guinea -kies, that they will [i- sk P lan f. Nbtthern Papua itself. The Buna airfield, after persistent heavy Allied attacks, is stated to be serviceable only for very small numbers ot aircraft.. whose presence there woui i merely invite their own destruction.