JAPS. FEEL WEIGHT OF PACIFIC BOMBING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 307, 29 December 1942, Page 5

JAPS. FEEL WEIGHT OF PACIFIC BOMBING

SECOND VESSEL SUNK

Cargo-Laden Parachutes Strafed On Beach

N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright Rec. noon. WASHINGTON Dec. 28

Additional reports have been received of the attack which was made by dive-bombers from Guadalcanar on a small group of enemy ships southward of Vangunu Island, south of New Georgia," states the Navy Department's communique 232.

In addition to the sinking of an enemy ship of 3000 tons near Wickham Island, as reported in communique 231, a second enemy ship was also sunk during this attack. The attack was mide on Saturday last, not on Christmas Day as previously reported.

'Douglas Dauntless dive-bombers on Saturday last, escorted by fighters, bombed and strafed the airfield at Munda, New Georgia. The results were not reported.

"At dLwn on Sunday aerial observers discovered about 30 cargoladen parachutes on the beach at Tassafaronga, on Guadalcanar Island. Army Airacobra fighters subsequently bombed and strafed enemy supplies which had been flown in.

"Dauntless dive-bombers and Airacobra fighters bombed and strafed a Japanese bivouac area north-west-ward of Kokumbona, on Guadalcanar Island.

"At the other end of the Pacific, Army Lightning fighters on December 26 strafed Japanese shore installations at Kiska, in the Aleutian Islands. Two Lightnings were lost, but one pilot was rescued."

Of twin-fuselaged design, the Lightnings have a speed of 400 miles an hour and great fire-power. Their pilots have been "spoiling" for a clash with the Japanese fighters for some time, and the outcome of the Buna air battle is being hailed with delight.

Thirty-one Planes Destroyed The score of Japanese aircraft destroyed by the Allies in the Southwest Pacific during the week-end was at least 31, probably 34. Four more enemy ships have been wrecked at Rabaul, states a New Zealand Press Association special message from Sydney.

In furious air battles over New Guinea on Sunday 19 enemy aircraft were shot down. Lockheed Lightnings won a signal success when they dived on a formation of 27 Zeros and 15 dive-bombers over Buna. Thirteen of the Zeros and two of the dive-bombers were destroyed in a smashing air victory. The remainder of the enemy force turned tail and fled.

The most important shipping victim v/as a 15,000-ton transport last seen lying on her side in the centre of the harbour. Two other 8000-ton vessels were set ablaze in the harbour, while a third such vessel, left burning in St. George's Channel, was abandoned by her crew.

The attack was made in hazy weather and the damage is believed to have been even greater than was claimed in General Mac Arthur's communique. Other widespread Allied air offensives in the South-west Pacific theatre included attacks on the new Japanese aerodrome at Cape Gloucester, in New Britain, and the destruction of enemy warehouses at Madang and Finschafen, in New Guinea, where Japanese reinforcements landed recently. Systematic attacks are also being kept up against the Japanese in Timor. Supplies and road transport at Lai Vai, on the coast about 70 miles from Dilli, have again been bombed and strafed. Sensational Combat Debut In use for the first time in the New Guinea battle zone, the Lightnings made a sensational combat debut. Only 12 were in the fight, but in spite of heavy odds, none of the new Allied fighters was lost. One was slightly damaged. Allied anti-aircraft fire destroyed one Zero over Buna, while three more were shot down when they attacked Hudson bombers engaged on transport work. Kittyhawks on patrol entered the fight and drove off the attackers. One Hudson loaded with Australian wounded was damaged, and the pilot made a forced landing in the sea. Two of the wounded were killed.

The main Japanese air base in the south, Rabaul, is now being pounded from two flanks—by air forces of both General Mac Arthur and Admiral Halsey. The latest raid, which followed the attack on Christmas Day from Guadalcanar, was by heavy bombers of General MacArthur's command —Liberators and Flying Fortresses—which reached their targets in face of intense ground opposition. A deluge of 5001b bombs on the harbour and shipping was followed by shoWers of incendiaries on the Rabaul township. The combined raids on Rabaul have been interpreted by the Washington correspondent of the New York Times as "the beginning of an Allied offensive which could result in an early amphibious attack on this Japanese base." The correspondent points out that several enemy supporting bases, including Lae, Salamaua, Munda and Buin, must be cleaned up first. He emphasises, however, that a twin aerial campaign against Rabaul from Australia and the Solomons is a great forward move which will make it difficult for the Japanese to maintain effective defences at Rabaul as well as at the satellite bases.

rn* special arrangement, Reuters World Service. In addition to other special sources of information, is used in the compilation of the overseas intellirence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved. Such of the cable news on this PMe as is so headed fr** appeared In The Times and is sent to this paper by special permission. I- should understood that the opinions are not those oi The Times unless stated to be so.J