HEAVY AIR ATTACKS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23949, 17 May 1943, Page 5

HEAVY AIR ATTACKS

Japanese In New Guinea

ENEMY USES 98 PLANES (Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.I fßec. 10.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, May I*. The Japanese Air Force has transferred its attentions in New Guinea to the Wau-Mubo area, where intensified land fighting is in progress. Fighting began at the end of January when the Japanese were driven back with heavy casualties after their disastrous attempt to capture the Wau aerodrome. General Mac Arthur’s communique to-day reports two attacks on this area on Saturday made by a total of 98 enemy aircraft. The number of aeroplanes employed indicates that in spite of their continued heavy combat losses the Japanese are maintaining their air strength in the areas north of Australia. Referring to the attack on Wau the communique says: “Twenty enemy bombers escorted by 14 fighters bombed the area in the morning. Our forces sustained neither damage nor casualties." Strong Formations Still stronger enemy air formation* raided Allied positions round Bob* dubi, the small village recently occupied by the Australian forces. Sharp

ground clashes have been developing in this area for several days. However, Saturday was the first occasion when enemy aircraft have supported their troops in this area. Allied aeroplanes Have harried the Japanese ground forces incessantly. The communique reports; “The enemy launched a heavy air attack shortly after dawn with nine bombers and 15 fighters, followed by 40 - divebombers.” No mention is made of Allied fighter interception in either of these attacks, nor is there reference to any damage or casualties caused by the Bobdubi raid. However, the Japanese aircraft which clashed with Allied aeroplanes over other south-west Pacific sectors on Saturday took heavy punishment. Seven were shot down and three others probably destroyed. Japanese intercepting fighters were active while enemy bombers made other small nuisance raids. Allied bombers made heavy attacks principally against Rabaul, m New Britain, and Nabire, an enemy base on the north coast of Geelvink Bay on the “neck” of Dutch New Guinea. Explosions and fires among dispersal bays and adjacent installations were caused on the Vunakanau aerodrome at Rabaul, while large fires were also started at Nabire. One of three intercepting Japanese fighters was shot down, Allied Saida An Allied heavy bomber reconnoitring over the Willaumez Peninsula In northern New Britain was intercepted by five enemy fighters. It destroyed two of them and severely damaged the other three. An enemy reconnaissance aeroplane was shot down over Buna, in northern Papua, while our night , fighters over Port Moresby destroyed ope of two enemy bombers raiding the area under,cpver of darkness. Later two ■'more“bombers came over , and one bfr.thdflttell to our anti-aircraft defences. ‘ ' Other targets raided by Allied bombers during the last 48 hours include enemy aerodromes at Timika. in Dutch New Guinea, and Koepang and Dilli, on the island of Timor, At Bunabun, inland from Madahg, 190 miles down the north New Guinea coast from Wewak, a Liberator bomber bombed the bridge over the Kumul river.' Damage to the bridge will interrupt Japanese supplies being transported along the coastal road to their forces fighting round Mubo.

BITTER FIGHTING IN CHINA

HEAVY JAPANESE CASUALTIES (Rec. 9 p.m.) CHUNGKING, May If. A Chinese Army communique states that the Chinese killed more than 3000 and captured 12 towns in the fighting west and south of the Taihan mountains. Their success followed the transfer of the majority of the Chinese troops in this area to the enemy’s rear where they executed a counter encircling move against 10,000 Japanese who were attempting to surround • large body of Chinese, • There is no change on the Tungting lake front, but the communique admitted that the Japanese have made progress west of Salween river. An earlier communique stated that bitter confused fighting continued south of the Yangtse river where the Japanese are attempting to overrun the Chinese strongholds along the west shore of the Tungting Lake. One Japanese column 4000 strong is advancing westward from the north shore towards Tsingshih and Lihsien, and another column is driving towards Kungan. The Japanese yesterday made air raids on Tsingshih, Lihsien, and other towns. North of the Yangtse the Chinese successfully attacked enemy positions at Ichang, Kingmen, Tangyang, and Yunnan. The Chungking authorities announce that famine is exacting a heavy toll of life in the drought belt fringing practically the entire coast of the Kwangtung Province. Two hundred thousand have migrated to Kiangsi seeking food. Rice in the drought area costs 15s a pound. Most of the inhabitants are obliged to eat bark.