PACIFIC PUNCHES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 290, 7 December 1943, Page 3

PACIFIC PUNCHES

LAND, SEA AND AIR

Japanese Freighter Hit In

Rabaul Harbour

N.Z. Press Association —Copyright Rec. 2.30 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. With tank and artillery support, the Australian force is making progress along the coast of Huon Peninsula, New Guinea, and General MacArthur's aircrart continue to cooperate with the ground forces bj r attacking the Japanese supply points and lines of communicationr Light naval units destroyed enemy barges which were apparently engaged in transporting supplies to the area. Widespread Allied activity is reported in to-day's South-west Pacific communique. A night bombing attack on Rabaul left targe fires burning at the Lakunai aerodrome, while a 6000-ton freighter in the harbour was hit by a torpedo. Off the western coast of New Britain five loaded barges and a small coastal vessel were destroyed. A further 155 tons of explosives have been dropped on the Cape Gloucester area, making a total of about 550 tons in the past fortnight. In the Solomons American warships have bombarded Choiseul. Admiral Halsey's aircraft have kept up their persistent raids on Japanese bases on Bougainville Island, where patrolling activity is reported around the American beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay.