CAUGHT BY SURPRISE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23813, 5 December 1942, Page 5

CAUGHT BY SURPRISE

Japanese Planes On

Timor

21 DESTROYED OR DAMAGED

(Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) ‘Rec. II p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec.- 4. Twenty-one Japanese aircraft, 18 bombers and three fighters, were destroyed or badly damaged when Allied long range Beaufighters struck their heaviest blow at the enemy in Timor. The raid, which is reported in to-day’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters, was made early on Wednesday morning. Our fighters came in at a low altitude in strafing attacks and caught the Japanese on the Penfoei airfield at Koepang completely by surprise. Their bombers were apparently about to take off and the panic-stricken ground crews were sent scurrying in

all directions. The Australian pilots who made the raid said that some of the Japanese aeroplanes had their engines running and the crews already aboard opened up with their cannons and machine-guns. The 21 enemy aircraft were shot up in almost as many seconds. Many of them burst into flames and a large fuel dump was also hit, resulting in the blaze being visible for 50 miles. Airmen who took part in attacks against the Japanese destroyer convoy which was forced to flee from Buna early on Wednesday morning say that some of the enemy fighters which protected the convoy strongly resembled the German Messerschmitt 109 F.

An American general interviewed the crews of the giant four-engined Liberator bombers when they returned to their base after attacking the convoy. One gunner claimed to have shot down a Zero.

“But this is the first time you ever fired at a Zero,” said the general. “Are you certain you shot it down and that it did not just dive away from you?” A note of grave uncertainty was discernible in the gunner’s voice as he answered: “I think I must have destroved it, sir. I saw one wing fall off and the Zero began to drop. As it rolled down the other wing seemed to tear apart. What was left of the aeroplane fell into the sea.”

JAPANESE CONTROL OF INDO CHINA

(Rec. 7.45 p.m.) CHUNGKING. Dee. 3. “After the scuttling of the French Fleet at Toulon and the weakening of the Vichy Government Japan has decided to' tighten her control of French Indo-China and take over the whole country." said a Chinese Army spokesman. “The Japanese originally planned to divide Indo-China into four regions, allowing French control of one in the north and puppet native princes in the other three regions.

BRITISH PATROL IN BURMA

LONDON. Dec. 3. A British patrol has returned after a 15 days’ march into enemy-occupied country in Burma. The patrol covered 350 miles on short rations and in foul weather.

BRITISH COLONIAL POLICY

LORD CRANBORNE’S DEFENCE (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Dec. 3. “I am quite certain the British Colonial Empire is not coming to an end,” said the Secretary for the Colonies (Lord Cranborne), in the course of a debate on colonial policy in the House of Lords. “The work we have to do is only beginning. We citizens of the British Empire, whatever our race, religion, or colour, have a mission to perform, and it is a mission which is essential to the welfare of the world. It is to ensure the way of life for which the United Nations are fighting.” Replying to criticism of British colonial policy, Lord Cranborne said the fall of Malaya could not be blamed on lack of self-government. Thailand had failed, and the Dutch East Indies, which had an admirable svstem of government, and the Philippines. wjth representative institutions, had shown that the form of government could not save the country. The British had not taught the Malayans to fight, but over a period of 35 years had improved living conditions for them, introduced free compulsory education, developed industries, and changed Singapore from unproductive poverty to one of the great ports of the world. , , . Lord Cranborne also referred to the colonies in the West Indies, where the major portion of the inhabitants had been released from slavery and encouraged to become ordinary citizens. Britain had not driven the indigenous peoples from the colonies. They had remained in their own homes, and the old ideas of oxploilatioiThad given way to the doctrine of trusteeship. In this respect Britain could fairly claim to be ahead of the rest of the world.

AIRCRAFT TO CARRY

400 PEOPLE

U.S. MANUFACTURERS’ PLANS

(Rec, 9.20 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 3, Mr T. M. Girdler announced that the Consolidated and Vultee Aircraft Companies have planned a new giant bomber transport capable of carrying 400 passengers to Europe in a few hours, or making a non-stop return bombing trip to the Continent. He said that the huge Consolidated Liberator would look like a toy aeroplane compared with the giant on which engineers were working day and night. Mr Girdler added that speeds of 400 or 500 miles an hour would be common in future.

Dominion Wool for U.S.—The United Kingdom Wool Control has informed the State Department that beginning on December 3 the export issue price of Australian and New Zealand wool will be reduced 6i per cent, below current quotations. The Wool Control does not intend changing the prices again during the wool year ending June 30, 1943.—Washington, December 3. Enemy Shipping Attacked. —The Air Ministry reports that on Thursday morning Hurricane bombers and Spitfires attacked and damaged enemy shipping off Cherbourg Peninsula. None of our aircraft is missing.— 8.0. W., Rugby, December 3.