ENEMY WARSHIP ON REEF

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23882, 26 February 1943, Page 5

ENEMY WARSHIP ON REEF

Evading Bombs At Rabaul

DIRECT HIT ON MERCHANTMAN

(Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 25. A large Japanese warship, making desperate efforts to dodge Allied bombs, crashed into a reef at the southern end of Rabaul harbour. At least seven enemy vessels, including other warships, were attacked in the waters round New Britain, and New Ireland by General Mac Arthur s bombers on Wednesday. When last seen the large warship, which has not been identified, was stationary on the reef. Its fate is unknown. Flying Fortresses maintained their hammering of the newest concentration of enemy warships and transports in Rabaul harbour. In low altitude attacks with 5001b bombs, they scored a direct hit on a 10,000ton merchantman. Two small warships, zig-zagging to escape, were damaged by heavy bombs which exploded within 20 feet of them. Such close 1 misses often prove more destructive than direct hits, the bombs having a torpedo effect in smashing a ship's plates below the waterline.

No enemy air interception was encountered and all our bombers returned. Off Cape St. George, the most southerly point of New Ireland, Liberators attacked a destroyer and a merchant vessel, but preliminary reports do not give the results. A Liberator has again won distinction with a fine performance against enemy fighters. Over Open Bay, New Britain, a single bomber on reconnaissance was attacked by 13 Zeros. The air battle ended after four of the Zeros had been shot down into the sea, Heavy Allied air attacks continue on Japanese-occupied villages in the Lae, Mubb, and Waria areas of northern New Guinea. Bombs of 10001b have caused terrific destruction among flimsy native-built hutments. Malshang aerodrome, and installations at Lae and the villages of Angari and Yanga (both within two miles of the enemy’s main New Guinea base) all felt the weight of our latest bombing attacks. Havoc attack aeroplanes made 18 sweeps along Jhe Mubo-Komiatum trail by. which supplies are moved up to the Japanese forward defences near Mubo.

No further reports have been made of ground activity in this area. In all, 10 enemy-occupied areas north and north-west of Australia have been attacked by Allied aircraft in the last 24 hours.

AIR ATTACKS IN SOLOMONS

U.S. AIRCRAFT START FIRES AT MUNDA

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24. A United States Navy communique says: “During the morning of. February 21 Japanese aeroplanes carried out a light raid on United States positions on Espiritu Santo Island. “During the afternoon Avenger torpedo aeroplanes and Dauntless divebombers escorted by fighters, attacked Japanese positions 'at Munda, on New Georgia. Several fires were started. During the night of February 21-22 Japanese aeroplanes raided United States positions on Tulagi, in the Solomons. On February 22 a United States search- aeroplane, oper-, ating near Choiseul" Island; scored bomb hits on an enemy barge-loaded with Japanese soldiers. During the late afternoon Airacobras, Corsairs, and Lightnings strafed enemy positions at Rekata.

“During the early morning on February 23 an enemy aeroplane dropped bombers on the airfield on Guadalcanal During the nigljt of February 23-24 Liberator heavy bombers bombed enemy positions' at Munda. All the United States aeroplanes returned.”

MINISTER GOING ABROAD

AUSTRALIAN MOVE DISCUSSED

WAR NEEDS IN SOUTH PACIFIC

(Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 25. Commenting on the coming visit of the Australian Minister of External Affairs (Dr. H. V. Evatt) to London and Washington, most Australian newspapers express in leading articles the view that Mr Curtin himself, as the Commonwealth’s Prime Minister, should attend the councils of the Allied nations, but they acknowledge that Dr. Evatt is the next best choice.

The “Sydney Morning Herald” to-day says: “Dr. Evatt’s success as a diplomat and advocate last year and the value of the contacts—they amounted to personal friendships with M; Churchill and Mr Roosevelt—which he then established, render him admirably fitted to represent Australia abroad.”

It is recalled that all Pacific nations have reason to be grateful for Dr. Evatt’s previous journey abroad, since it resulted both in increased war supplies for the southern Pacific theatres of war and in the establishment of the Pacific War Council, of which the New Zealand Minister to Washington (Mr W. Nash) is spokesman.

On this occasion, it is thought, Dr. Evatt’s itinerary may include a visit to Russia. Australia feels that a strengthening of her diplomatic ties with the Soviet is desirable, in view of the tremendous influence Russia is likely to have in post-war Pacific affairs.

However, political correspondents say that Dr. Evatt’s main aim on his present tour will probably be to renew the overtures he made a year ago for maximum consideration for the s-uthern Pacific. “Though the Ministerial mission to-day, in contrast with that made by Dr. Evatt last year, is no longer a quest for immediate means of survival.” says the “Sydney Morning Herald,” “it is necessary that the needs of this theatre should be kept constantly before the British and American Governments. The holding policy against Japan cannot be changed yet, but claims for supplies, particularly of aircraft and ships, within the framework of that policy, must be pressed periodically if they are not to go by default.”

The full implications of the decisions made at the Casablanca conference and the question of post-war control of strategic islands in the southern Pacific are also suggested as matters likely to occupy Dr. Evatt’s attention. Mr Curtin, announcing Dr. Evatt’s forthcoming departure, said that he himself would be happy to go to Britain and the United States at some future time. Ha hoped that the time would be soon. The political correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald” says: "Most members of Parliament agree that taking into account Mr Curtin’s belief in the need for the Prime Minister to stay in Australia while the Japanese are threatening the country. Dr. Evatt is obviously the Minister best fitted to make the trip.”