FORMOSA HEAVILY BOMBED

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24389, 16 October 1944, Page 5

FORMOSA HEAVILY BOMBED

Large Task Force Of Superfortresses VITAL ENEMY TARGET HIT

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p,m.) WASHINGTON. Oct. 15. “A large task force of Superfortresses on October 14 attacked Okayama in Formosa, which is a vital Japanese repair base and supply depot, and, is'considered the most important air target south of Japan proper,” says a 20th Bomber Command communique. “The mission was carried out from bases in China. “The weather over the target was good and visual bombing was accomplished. Eyewitness reports from returning crews indicate a successful attack on this mission. A larger number of Fortresses were engaged than in the previous attack.” The Tokyo radio said 450 Fortresses were engaged in the attack.

The Tokyo radio reported another raid on Formosa to-day by carrier-borne aircraft and Superfortresses. Reports from Tokyo quoted by the German Telegraph Agency suggest that the Japanese fleet has put to sea. One report says that it is on its way to the scene of Formosa operations. ‘

“The greatest aerial task force which has ever been put into the. air took off from a secret air base in western China in favourable weather and hurled the heaviest tonnage of destruction ever released in a singly operation in this theatre on Japanese arsenals, aircraft plants, airfields, and installations at Okayama.” says the United Press correspondent. “Each formation was led by specially chosen pilots amTcrews whose job it was to assure that each formation planted the maximum tonnage and the highest number of incendiaries on the target. “Major-General Curtis Lemay told correspondents that the period of trial and experimentation for the Superfortresses had ended. ‘Now we are really ready to go to work from here,’ he said. ‘We can count on progressively heavier damage per sortie.’ “The returning airmen jubilantly report that the clouds opened up to frame the targets perfectly for visual bombing in close-packed groups. Columns of smoke rose 22,000 ft.” A 20th Bomber Command communique says that four aircraft at present have not reported from to-day’s mission to Formosa, but some are expected to be reported later from friendly bases. No enemy fighter opposition was encountered during tjie mission. Flak over the target was meagre. Preliminary reports indicate that the bombing results were good. Commenting on the earlier attacks on 'Formosa, the Pearl Harbour correspondent of the Associated Press says Japan’s communication lines are probably so badly disrupted by the carrier strikes that General Mac Arthur and Admiral Nimitz can now halt the enemy’s free movement between the various Philippine Islands whenever they choose to combine their forces for this purpose. Furthermore,' the Fbrmosan blows'are believed to have deprived the Philippines of support from Japan,

The Tokyo broadcast to-day referred to the Philippines difficulty in obtaining imports “from other countries.” The Japanese probably have replaced most of the pilots and part of the aeroplanes lost during the September attacks against the Philippines, How* ever, it is likely that the enemy shipping destroyed this, week carried personnel replacements as well as vital machinery, spare parts, and other supplies needed for the estimated 150,000 enemy combat troops in the Philippines.

tributing to the enemy’s lack of preparedness. “Puller reports of the carrier-based aircraft attack on October 9 against the Okinawa islands, in the Riui.m Archipelago. indicate, says a Pacific Fleet communique, that the following damage was inflicted:—sunk: one destroyer escort, four small submarines, 14 cargo ships, one submarine tender, one oiler. 25 small ships. 41 barges and small craft; probably sunk: 10 small ships, one mmesweepeL nine small craft: damaged: eight cargo ships, one medium landing ship, one light minelayer, 10 small ships, and numerous sampans, luggers, and barges. “Aircraft destroyed 23 aeroplanes in the air and 59 on the ground, and damaged 37. In addition, the north shore of Naha harbour was devastated by explosion and fire. Eight aeroplanes were lost in combat. “Fuller reports pf the attack on Luzon, in 'the Philippines, on October 10 indicate that numerous buildings were set on fire near Aparri, on the northern coast, and 10 or 15 aeroplanes destroyed on the ground. Thera was no enemy opposition.” The carrier-based .aeroplanes which attacked Formosa in two days sank or damaged 63 ships and destroyed 398 enemy aeroplanes. In addition, 37 small craft were sunk or damaged near the China coast. “Late in the evening of October 11 and on the night of October 11-12, following the first day’s attack on Formosa, small groups of enemy aircraft attacked one of our fast carrier task forces operating on the approaches to the Japanese positions in Formosa and Riukiu,” says a Pacific Fleet communique.

Nevertheless, it is realised the Japanese by now have had time to reequip and restaff the carrier forces so badly smashed in the Philippines Sea last June. Therefore, if the Japanese fleet can manoeuvre to a favourable tactical position to meet the American Fleet < without facing overwhelming odds it-, is likely to seek battle soon in defence ,of its shaky possessions. The typhoon has aided the Pacific Fleet’s raids on Formosa and Riukin islands. The weather charts show a typhoon started near the equator, moved north-west at 25 knots, striking Formosa and Riukiu, and dissipating on Tuesday along the Japanese cogst. The American task force, taking advantage of the situation, moved in about two.days behind. While the violence of the storm, which was the year’s worst, undoubtedly hindered the launching of aeroplanes, it must have brought the Japanese far greater problems, disrupting communications on Formosa and elsewhere, and con-

“They repeatedly attempted to torpedo or bomb the carriers or the supporting ships. Fighters from our carriers shot down three enemy fighters in the early evening, and later eight enemy aircraft were sent down in flaipes by the ships’ flak. “On, the night of October 12 our carrier task forces again attacked Formosa and the Pescadores. Heavy damage was done to enemy air force bases, shipping, port facilities, and shore installations “A preliminary resume of the damage inflicted in the two days.’ strike snows a total of 221 enemy aircraft shot down and 175 destroyed on the ground. Two large, four medium, nine small, and 12 coastal ships were sunk. One large, three medium.* three small, and five coastal cargo ships, one oil tanker, and one minesweeper were probably sunk, anfi six medium and 15 small cargo ships and one large transport were damaged. “In addition, 37 small craft were sunk or damaged. “We lost 45 aeroplanes in the twoday attack.”