SOUTHERN PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 271, 11 August 1943, Page 5

SOUTHERN PACIFIC

Considerable Allied Air

Activity (Received August 10, 11 p.m.)

SYDNEY, August 10. In widespread attacks throughout the South-west Pacific yesterday. Allied aircraft dropped 221 tons of bombs on Japanese installations. One of the heaviest attacks ever made on the enemy’s northern New Guinea stronghold of Salamaua saw 103 tons of explosives dropped on the town, harbour and river districts. Fires and explosions were caused-. In the Solomons, American forces which captured Munda airfield are pushing forward through a jungle quagmire created by torrential rain against Bairoko harbour, the last. Japanese foothold on New Georgia. Supporting the ground advance, our aircraft dropped 22 tons of bombs on enemy positions. It is revealed that. 11 disabled Japanese planes were captured when Munda airfield was wrested from the enemy last Thursday. Vila aerodrome, on Koloinbangara Island, just 10 miles from Bairoko, was twice attacked yesterday. Our heavy and medium bombers with fighter escort dropped 03 tom; of bombs. . •

In New Guinea, apart from the big attack on Salainaua, General MacArthur s aircraft have also been active in intensive coastal sweeps. Strong formations of Mitchell bombers twice attacked the Bogadjim area, near Madang. (Considerable damage was caused to bridges and construction cainp ureas on the main coast road. Over Tala Sea, on the north coast of New Britain, a Liberator on reconnaissance was attacked by nine Zeros. One of the enemy fighters was shot, down and three damaged. The remainder were driven off.

Today’s communique from General MacArthur's headquarters also reports an attack by Liberators and Mitchells on Ambon, 580 miles north of Darwin, where 36 tons of bombs were dropped on the target area, causing explosions and fires.