ACCURATE FIRE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 40, 16 February 1945, Page 3

ACCURATE FIRE

FUEL DUMP SMASHED

R.N.Z.A.F. SQUADRONS' WORK

R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service.

SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC, Feb. S. What was believed to be a Japanese fuel installation was among the New Ireland targets destroyed during the last few days by New Zealand Corsair fighters and Ventura bombers operating from this island. Both squadrons have been out daily and the accuracy of their bombing and strafing has caused widespread damage in many areas in constant use by the enemy. A number of Corsairs, led by Flight-Lieutenant R. W. Paterson, of New Plymouth, took part in a strike against Panemansu Plantation, on the north-east coast of New Ireland. With a fairly extensive hutted area as their objective, they swept down in a low-level attack, dropping halfton delayed-action bombs in the centre of the target. Large columns of brown smoke were seen rising to 400 feet directly after the attack, encouraging the belief that the fuel dump was concealed there? Smoke was still rising from the ruins when the aircraft were leaving the area after completing two strafing runs. Next day Ventura bombers raided Panemansu to finish off the work the Corsairs had begun. Eighteen 5001b bombs were dropped in a low-level attack and all fell across the target. The results were not observed. Corsaid fighters also made a return raid on huts in the same area. Their dive-bombing attacks caused much damage but the nature of the country made it impossible to assess the actual numbers of huts destroyed.

Large Fires Started Besides the attack on Panemansu Plantation, R.N.Z.A.F. Venturas hit hard at enemy position during lowlevel sorties directed at Panaras Plantation, on the south-west coast, and at Cape Lemeris, on the northeast coast. Thirty-four bombs found their mark in these two areas and large fires were started. Medium enemy fire was met from the ground. Fires were seen buring when Ventura crews, carrying out the dusk sweeps, flew over the area later. Several Japanese are believed to have been killed when New Zealand medium bombers attacked huts in the Koka Plantation dropping 5001b bombs. Carrying two depth charges for the first time, R.N.Z.A.F. Corsairs struck at Lemakot Plantation, almost in the centre of New Ireland. Lead by Squadron-Leader B. H. Thomson, of Gore, the squadron commander, the fighters came in low and dropped instantaneous depth charges in the midst of a personnel area. This was another instance of an apparently successful raid being carried out over territory which prevented an accurate assessment of the results. This is so often the case where heavy jungles obscures the ground from view and, as pilots and crews obviously report only the- damage they can vouch for, it can safely be assumed that reports of damage generally are on the conservative side and that devastation in Japanese territories is greater than claimed. In the last day or two Corsair fighters have knocked out huts in Laluan Bay, Ebrechtshof Plantation, and Nusalik Island. Over Kavieng they have cratered the road in several places, hit the airstrip and destroyed many huts and buildings in Kavieng township.