JAPANESE LOSE 48 PLANES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24028, 17 August 1943, Page 5

JAPANESE LOSE 48 PLANES

Actions In Solomons And New Guinea ALLIED FIGHTERS’ SUCCESS (Special Australian Corresp.. N.Z.P.A.) (R a C ,'. l1 j p ' mJ SYDNEY, Aug. 16. Alned fighters yesterday destroyed 48 Japanese machines in the Solomons and New Guinea area. We lost five. Thirty-four of the enemy aeroplanes were shot down over the Solomons by airmen of the South Pacific Command. These comprised 22 fighters and 12 dive-bombers. They fell in a series of Allied air interceptions over 100 miles from Vella Lavella Island to Kahili aerodrome, on Bougainville Island. Only two Allied fighters were lost along this front. Seven of the enemy aeroplanes crashed near Kahili aerodrome when a Japanese formation returning to its base was broken up and dispersed. Grounded aircraft were heavily strafed. Complete details of the damage inflicted have not yet been received at General MacArthur’s headquarters. The Japanese air force had its second major reverse of the day when Airacobras intercepted 12 enemy bombers supported by a top cover of 25 Zeros south-west of Lae, in New Guinea. Although outnumbered, our fighters attacked, shooting down 11 of the bombers and three of the Zeros. Three Airacobras were lost. Only sparse reports have been received of the land fighting, on New Georgia Island. Two days ago it was reported that Japanese resistance near Zieta village, four miles and a half from the enemy strongpoint at Bairoko Harbour, had been overcome by American troops driving north from Munda. To-day’s communique says that our forces are closing in on Zieta from the north and south. Two ineffectual enemy air raids on Allied bases are reported. Three aeroplanes attacked Wau, in New Guinea, and one was over Woodlark Island on Saturday night. RAID ON BALIK PAPAN “DEPRESSING FUTURE FOR JAPANESE” (Rec. 1 a.m.) NEW YORK, Aug. 16. “The long-range bombing of Balik Papan was not merely a stunt,” says the New York “Herald-Tribune” in a leading article. “The raid contains a promise of most depressing future developments for the Japanese, who have just begun to draw upon the oil wells and refineries of Borneo and Sumatra. "By seriously damaging the best oil installations, the Allies have demonstrated that they are able to blast Japan’s plans for consolidation of her conquests, as disconcertingly as though General Mac Arthur had reached into the window of Tojo's office and touched a match to the maps and papers on his desk.” The “Herald-Tribune” says that the Sumatra installations can be readily blasted from Ceylon. “Furthermore,” it says. “General Mac Arthur needs to reach only a little farther from Australia to hit Sourabaya, the great East Indies warehouse, and the Pelew Islands, which are a highly developed aerial way-station. In this visit to Balik Papan the Japanese read a promise that the day Rabaul falls 90 per cent, of the air power based on Australia will be ready to undo the feverish Japanese repair work in Borneo and eastern Java, and to soften up Timor and Amboina for occupation.”

ENEMY AIRFIELDS BOMBED FORTRESSES OVER FRANCE TEN GERMAN FIGHTERS SHOT DOWN (Hec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 16. “Large formations of American Flying Fortresses, escorted by Thunderbolt and Spitfire fighters, late yesterday attacked enemy airfields at Poix, Vitry-en-Artois, Lille, and Merville, all in France, and at Vlissingen, in Holland',” says a joint Allied communique. ‘Crews have reported good bombing results. “Enemy fighter resistance was weak and ground fire was moderate. Eight enemy fighters were destroyed by the bombers and two by Spitfires. “Marauders escorted by Spitfires yesterday morning attacked the rail centres at Abbeville and St. Omer. Thunderbolts made a sweep in force over northern France without encountering opposition. “One heavy bomber and one fighter are missing from all these operations.” Two German fighters were destroyed during Sunday’s offensive sweeps over Europe. Four British fighters are missing. Sunday was a day of continual air activity over the south-east coast and the Channel. Allied aircraft were heard and seen passing over the Continent all day. The first big sweep went over before dawn and another soon after, followed by other formations during the morning and again in the afternoon. They returned at intervals, mostly by the same route. It appeared that this non-stop blitz was on targets well inland because the crash of bombs was not heard', on the English side of the Channel. Mosquitoes again attacked Berlin on Saturday night, when airfields in France and Belgium were also bombed^ Five of 25 German raiders which were over the south coast of England last night were destroyed. The raiders came singly over a wide area. One town had a sharp attack. Houses in working-class districts were hit, and there were some casualties. A number of German raiders bombed a south coast town in England on Saturday night, The raiders came in singly and met intense anti-aircraft fire. One raider is reported to have been shot down. TURKEYS PART IN WAR MORE ACTIVE OPERATIONS THOUGHT LIKELY (Rec 1.30 a.m.) NEW YORK. Aug. 16. “It is becoming clearer that Turkey is preparing for mor" active operations in the war,” says the “New York Times*’ correspondent in Istanbul. Turks believe the Allies will shortly occupy Italv, after which the Geimans v. ill not hold the Balkans “The Germans from 1914 to 1918 maintained the Balkans because the Ottoman empire protected their eastern Pank The position in 1943 is vast!> different. Turkey, although a nonbelligerent. clearly sympathises with th Allies. Therefore the Balkans may be exposed to Allied sea and air powe. based on Italy plus possible Turkish la “A German withdrawal would bring chaos in Bulgaria and J ug °£ a 7 ia ; n up „° n n which Turkey would offer to cooperate with the Allies by occupying the Balkans. This would obviously draw Turkey into hostilities A . “Turkish army loaders definitely desire action, but the Government is proud of its peace record and is still anxious to avoid war.