BIG AIR RAID ON SUMATRA

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24369, 22 September 1944, Page 5

BIG AIR RAID ON SUMATRA

Attack by Naval Carrier Force

ENEMY OPPOSITION WEAK

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

(Rec. 18.5 a.m.) KANDY, Sept. 21. “As part of the offensive policy steadily being directed against the Japanese-held Indies, a small but fast and powerful carrier force has delivered another blow in northern Sumatra and is now speeding back to base,” reports an Associated Presg correspondent at sea off Sumatra. “Barracuda torpedo-bombers, escorted by Corsair Fleet fighters, thoroughly pasted the railway repair depot Sigli, near Sumatra’s northern tip, and left three-quarters of it in ruins. Raids, aimed at softening up Sumatra in preparation for more vital operations, are becoming more frequent, and each has disclosed the inability of the Japanese effectively to hit back. “For this latest enterprise the naval force steamed within sight of the Sumatra coast before launching its aircraft, and although it turned and hauled off rapidly, leaving pilots to pursue it to sea when the mission was finished, our momentary nearness to the coast provided the Japanese with an opportunity which he significantly failed to accept. Our aeroplanes face 4 little ground opposition and it was not until late in the afternoon, when they were all snugly aboard, that the air umbrella found the only Zero flying high towards us. At first sight of the fighters he turned and bolted. ‘‘The only breathless moment of the whole enterprise was when the aeroplanes were landing on the carriers after the operation. A black rain squall almost blotted out our carriers. Dozens' of aeroplanes, having broken formation, were flying round like excited teal upset by shooters' guns but all landed safely. The outstanding conclusion which can b* drawn is that the raid strengthened the suspicion that Sumatra can be had for the taking.”

AN&AUR ISLAND

CAPTURED

END OF ORGANISED RESISTANCE

GOOD PROGRESS IN PALAU GROUP (Rec. 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. “Organised enemy resistance hal ceased on Angaur Island, in the Palau group,’’ says a United States Pacific Fleet communique. “The 81st Infantry Division is proceeding with mopping up operations “Marines continue to apply heavy x pressure ‘against strong Japanese defensive positions in rqugh terrain on >• the western shore of . Peleliu Island. ' * Slow progress is being madd against bitter enemy resistance. On one sec-■■ tor marines captured 11 field guns, 70 machine-guns, and 23 Ynortars, and additional gains were scored-: along /'theeastern snore of the ' island, where virtually all enemy resistance has been inopped up’ It is estimated that the American forces killed more than-’ 7000 enemy troops on Pelelib and 600 on Angaur.” “The Ist United States Marine Regiment captured ‘Bloody Nose’ ridg« after the- stiffest fight in the marines* history,” says the correspondent’ of the United Press. “The fall of ■‘Bloody Nose’ ridge silenced most .of the fire directed at the Peleliu aerodrome,; where Seabees. are preparing for-the arrival of combat aircraft which will permanently nullify the uninvadedPalau islands such as Koror ; and; Bebethuap, where it is estimated 30,000 Japanese are immobilised. The'wreckage of 117 Japanese aircraft, including ' 77 fighters, was found on the aerodrome, which is the finest in the mandated islands. .

“The .- jnarines’ principal *jqb on : Pelelui ds;ta dig out the Japanese pa successive ridges leading to the caiise- • way connecting Ngesebus Island Th# I job is expected to take several days: The' Japanese are,: thoroughly dug in, and they are utilising the terrain to the'full advantage, the Japanese are fighting intelligently instead of expending men in futile attacks.”;: ... The correspondent of the “New' York Times" says: “The fairly light marine. ; casualties in the first five days doe» . not indicate a relatively easy cam-; paign. On the contrary, it has been abitter fight, with thfe enemy resisting to the death. Furthermore, this is probably the most difficult terrain yet encountered id the central: Pacific.' However.-the disadvantages have been; considerably nullified by. the perfected communication between, ships . and' aeroplanes and the m en .the. front. It is a beautiful example of co-, ordination, and it has been brought to a state of perfection lately with great improvements since Tarawa." Island Bases Raided Reporting widespread air operations in the north-west Pacific, a Pacific Fleet communique says:— ... ■ “Liberators bombed shore installations and bivouac areas on Chichi Jima, in the Bonins, on Monday. , A direct hit, with-two near misses, was . made on a , medium, .cargo vessel anchored in Futami harbour. The I ship was left burning and eight or 10 barges were destroyed.. Thunderbolts bombed and strafed Pagan Island on Monday. Anti-aircraft emplacements | and storage facilities were the principal targets, several fires being started. | The same day Liberators attacked Marcus Island, and Mitchells bombed Ponape Island, hitting gun positions -nd an airstrip. Other aircraft bombed Wotje atoll, dropping 27 ton* o; bombs on the barracks."

AIR ATTACKS ON PHILIPPINES

MINDANAO TARGETS BOMBED

(Kec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 21, Allied bombers are intensifying the softening ■up attacks on Mindanao, the southernmost island of the Philip* pines. ~ . In the latest raid made on Monday, 50 Liberators, flying through storms, blasted Davao with 120 tons of bombs. This was one of the heaviest bomb* loads carried to Mindanao by southwest Pacific raiders. Barracks, oil tanks, storage areas, and airfields were the targets, and exploding oil tanks started huge fires. The Japanese did not send up any fighters. Mitchells and Lightnings, maintainin'’ the neutralisation of Celebes air* fields, destroyed four grounded aeroplanes at Langoan.

CHINA AIR BASES LOST

(Hec. 11 p.m.) CHUNGKING, Sept. 20. "The Allies have now, lost their forward air bases in China, from which they might have met Admiral Nimitz and given aerial protection to his amphibious forces on the China coast,’’ says the United Press correspondent at the headquarters of the United States air forces in China. "The abandonment of the Kweilin aerodrome system deprived MajorGeneral Chennault of bis most forward springboard. “After capturing Hengyang the Japanese ground forces were expected, to strike south along the railway towards Kweilin, and 65,000 Japanese are reported to be now within 30 miles of Kweilin. Major-General Chennault’s men are flying day and nighf in support of the remnants of the Chinese forces resisting the Japanese advance. They are constantly sweeping M over Japanese columns and hitting ■ deep behind the lines at supply bases ■