NEW PHASE OF SEA WAR IN EAST INDIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 177, 28 July 1944, Page 5

NEW PHASE OF SEA WAR IN EAST INDIES

SABANG ATTACK About 350 Tons Of Shells Strike Jap Base N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. KANDY, July 27. The heavy scale of the Allied naval bombardment of Sabang at dawn on Tuesday is emphasised in a Southeast Asia communique, which states: "Under cover of the main bombardment a force under the command of Captain R. G. Onslow, consisting of three destroyers and a Netherlands cruiser, proceeded into the harbour and engaged targets at very close range. They silenced the shore batteries, sinking one medium-sized merchantman and wrecking two jetties with torpedoes. "The ships taking part in this very determined and spirited attack received only minor damage, which did not affect their seaworthiness or fighting efficiency. They suffered very few casualties, only two of which were fatal. The dockyard, workshops and wharves were hit by at least 16 salvoes of heavy shells in the main attack. The target area was left in a mass of flames and smoke." Allies Dominate Indian Ocean The Eastern Fleet has opened a new phase of naval warfare in the East Indies with the daylight bombardment of Sabang, says the Associated Press correspondent aboard the flagship of the Eastern Fleet off Sabang. Having established complete domination over the eastern Indian Ocean by air strikes at Sabang, Sourabaya and Port Blair, Admiral Sir James Somerville's Eastern Fleet is now reaching out into East Indian waters, in which the chief prize is Singapore. About 350 tons of steel and high explosive struck Sabang as the Allied battleships, cruisers and destroyers cascaded shells, varying from four to 15in, into the Japaneseheld naval base at close range.

A senior officer commented: "It will take a long time to repair Sabang, owing to the difficulties of getting materials from Japan. In fact they will not be able to repair the place before we get there." It is roughly three months since the Eastern Fleet last raided Sabang, but that was a cautious air strike from carriers, the rest of the Fleet remaining well distant from Sabang.