AIR POUNDING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 62, 14 March 1944, Page 6

AIR POUNDING

JAPS. IN NEW GUINEA Few Enemy Fighters Intercept At Wewak N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent SYDNEY, Mar. 13. The Japanese suffered a sharp air reverse when they attempted to save their base at Wewak. New Guinea, from a heavy battering on Saturday. Of -10 intercepting enemy fighters*26 were shot down and sixothers were probably destroyed. More enemy aircraft were smashed on the ground.

Oniv two of the attacking Allied planes failed to return. Others were damaged.

Three davs earlier the Japanese lost 17 planes, with 10 others probably destroyed, in a similar clash over Wewak.

The relentless pounding of Wewak is driving the main Japanese ailconcentrations in New Guinea back to Hollandia. Some war commentators suggest that the enemy may

be planning to fight a delaying action at Wewak while their strength at Hollandia is developed. Hollandia has been an important base for Japanese aircraft flying from home islands to the South-west Pacific. Jap. Barrage on Bougainville The Japanese at the week-end employed their heaviest, artillery barrage of the Solomons campaign against the American beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville Island. The enemy barrage followed a three-day pounding of the Japanese positions, during which American guns fired 35.000 rounds against enemy troop concentrations.

The Japanese barrage displayed a marked improvement in quality of gunnery. The Torokina airfield was shelled, but little damage was caused. The Japanese guns were silenced when a large number of Allied dive-bombers attacked their positions.

In several weeks not a single Japanese plane has been seen over the Bougainville area.

Tokyo- official radio claims that in attacks beginning last Wednesday the Torokina airfield has been rendered unusable by Allied planes.

Cut off from further supplies, the Japanese garrisons on Bougainville Island are in a desperate position. Enemy forces from other areas of the island appear to have been moved toward Empress Augusta Bay, where they may be attempting to force an issue at the American beachhead.

Atoll in Marslialls Occupied

A small amphibious unit of the Pacific Fleet, including a detachment of the 22nd Marine Regiment, occupied the Wotho atoll, in the Marshalls, without resistance, says a Pacific Fleet communique. The natives received the occupation force with ceremony, including gifts of food. Four bases in the Eastern Marshalls were bombed by United States planes on Friday, states a communique. No fighter interception was met. The anti-aircraft fire was moderate. All the planes returned safely.