DIRECT HITS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 3

DIRECT HITS

ON JAP. SHIPPING

Allied Heavy Bombers Again Assail Kavieng N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright SYDNEY, April 5. "Striking again before dawn, our heavy units executed co-ordinated low-level bombing attacks on enemy shipping at Kavieng, Mftw Ireland, scoring direct hits with heavy bombs on three and possibly four vessels," states to-day's communique issued from General Mac Arthur's headquarters. "A light cruiser or destroyer was hit with a 5001b bomb on the foredeck, resulting in an explosion, followed by clouds of black smoke. A direct hit from mast-height exploded on the bow of a destroyer, while a bomb which over-sho*t possibly 'hit an 8000-ton cargo vessel anchored close by. "A 6000-ton merchant ship received a direct hit amidships, followed by a large explosion. Bombs were dropped on .another destroyer and on what was probably a submarine tender, but darknes and searchlight glare prevented observation of results. "Simultaneously, the aerodrome was effectively bombed and neutralised. There was no attempt at interception and all our aircraft returned. "The enemy's naval concentration at Kavieng has now been completely i destroyed or dispersed and the "Kavieng battle, which commenced on Friday and extended through Saturday and Sunday, can be regarded as completed. Warships Sunk or Damaged "In this engagement seven enemy warships of the cruiser or destroyer type and five merchant vessels, aggregating 36,000 tons, were either isunk or heavily damaged. Three ■ additional enemy destroyers. ... and one 8000-ton * merchant ship were attacked and possibly damaged, but accurate observation of results was not obtained. "Our own losses were limited entirely to damage to planes, all of which returned to their base. Our forces consisted of 10 heavy bombers in the first attack and eight in the succeeding two. Each strike involved a flight of 1100 miles. "Factors contributing to this decisive victory were the special battle technique developed for this attack, the neutralisation of the enemy's airfields, the utilisation of darkness as a screen and the accomplishment of the initial surprise effect obtained by the extraordinary extension of our bomber range of attack." The special correspondent of the Press Association says:—Specially selected Flying Fortress crews used the new secret battle technique against the enemy ships-gathered at the northern end of New Ireland. The victory of the strictly limited Fortress fleets—a grand total of only 26 'planes being employed— ranks with the Bismarck Sea battle as one of the, greatest air feats of the war. Only to-day did General MacArthur's spokesman reveal that the three-day action was a carefullyplanned battle and not merely a succession of follow-up blows on a chance target. Every pilot was a veteran especially chosen for the job.