AIR WAR IN SOLOMONS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23848, 18 January 1943, Page 5

AIR WAR IN SOLOMONS

Hits on Japanese Destroyers 30 ENEMY AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Jan. 16. “Widespread air activity, during which three Japanese destroyers were hit and 30 Japanese aeroplanes were shot down, is reported in a United States Navy communique, which states: “On the night of January 13, our aircraft bombed Japanese • positions at Munda. The results were not observed. During the morning of January 14, our aeroplanes bombed a village three

miles east of the Japanese airfield on the southern end of Buka Island. (This is north of Bougainville and about 500 miles north-west of Guadalcanal)

"One direct hit and two near hits damaged one destroyer, which was left burning,, when dive-bombers, escorted by Airacobra fighters, attacked nine Japanese destroyers 140 miles northwest of Lunga Point, on Guadalcanal Twelve Zeros intercepted the attack and eight were shot down. One of our dive-bombers was forced down and five of our fighters failed to return. The dive-bombers pressed home the attack and seriously damaged two more enemy destroyers. “During the moTning, an American aeroplane on patrol near Guadalcanar shot down three Zeros.

"In the afternoon Flying Fortresses, with Lightning, Airacobra, and Wildcat escorts, attacked five enemy destroyers 37 miles south-east of Faisi. No hits were scored, but 12 enemy floattype bi-planes, which intercepted the attacks, were shot down. None of our aircraft was lost. “During the evening a force of divebombers, with Wildcat and Airacobra escort, attacked an enemy cargo vessel 27 miles north-west ofTVlunda. Two direct hits and four near-hits were scored. The ship was left burning. Our fighters drove off 12 Zeros which attempted to intercept them and shot down seven. One of our fighters is missing.” Widespread Attacks The special Australian correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association says that vast areas of the South-west Pacific Command have been covered by Allied bombers during the last 48 hours. , „ , . . .. From Kendari, m the Celebes, in the north-'west, to Rabaul, in the northeast, Japanese island bases have been reconnoitred and attacked. Most of the attacks, numbering 20 in all, do not appear to have been heavy, but they emphasise the unceasing air vigil being maintained over enemy outpost territories. , Ten of the targets were along the northern New Guinea coast, where a continual watch is being kept over Japanese activities. The heaviest raids were on the enemy’s main New Guinea base at Lae, where Liberator and Mitchell bombers started fires among the supply dumps. A clash between Liberators and six Zeros over the Huon Gulf cost the enemy two fighters, with a third seriously damaged. Aerodromes and installations at Madang, Wewak, and Finschhafen were also attacked on successive days.

Rabaul, scene of the recent'attacks on the great Japanese shipping concentration, was again a target, damage being done to the harbour installations. In the same sector enemy aerodromes at Gasmata and Cape Gloucester were attacked. Two raids were made on Japanese shipping with unknown results. A merchant vessel was bombed off Cape Sena, while- a cruiser was attacked off Cape St. George. Four Zeros were intercepted and one was shot down. Reconnaissance In Celebes The longest flight was a Liberator reconnaissance mission to Kendari, about 1800 miles north-west of Darwin. Kendari is an important enemy base \flhich has not been mentioned in Allied communiques for a considerable period. Two Zeros intercepted the Liberator over Moena, south-east of Celebes. One was shot down. Also in the north-western sector, Allied Hudsons bombed the airfield at Matku Island, south-west of the main Tenimber group in the Arafura Sea. ’

These activities were additional to the close air support given the Allied ground troops attacking Sanananda and to Beaufighter strafing sweeps in the nearby Mambare river area, where small parties of Japanese were seen. These enemy soldiers are remnants from earlier ill-fated landing attempts or escapees from the annihilated Papuan force.

MEDAL RIBBONS FOR U.S. FORCES

ENEMIES’ COLOURS INCLUDED

(Rcc. D.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 16. A Washington report states that the Army and Navy have jointly authorised the issue of medals for members of the armed forces on foreign service. The medals will not be awarded before the end of the war. but ribbons will be available immediately. Besides the American colours, the ribbons will include those of the enemies against which the holders were fighting. For example, the orange ribbon of the South Pacific is flanked with the red and white Japanese stripes, and the African green ribbon includes the German and Italian colours.

WAR PRISONERS AT HONG KONG

LATEST REPORT ON CONDITIONS

(Roc. 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 16. The International Red Cross reports that accommodation in war prisoners’ camps at Hong Kong is adequate and treatment is good. The report confirms the severe incidence of tropical and deficiency diseases during the summer when the sending of relief supplies from local sources was suspended. However, the health of the prisoners is now improved. Parcels are now allowed to be sent to the camps from residents of Hong Kong.

The authorities are also permitting the distribution of limited relief supplies which British Dominion Red Cross Societies have been able to send to Hong Kong. Prisoners are permitted to write one letter a month, but it appears that this correspondence has not been dispatched since the. departure of the Japanese exchange ships last July.