ATTACK BY AIR TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 308, 23 September 1943, Page 7

ATTACK BY AIR TROOPS

Further Jump In New Guinea ENEMY RETREAT (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Received September 22, 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 22. Australian air-borne troops in New Guinea have seized Kaiapit, in the upper Markham Valley. 00 miles from Lae, and about 80 miles from the important Japanese north-east const base at Madang. The Australians were flown on Monday to a field some distance from Kaiapit and, soon after landing, were in action against the Japanese, who launched several counter-attacks before being forced to retire. The seizure of Kaiapit. which is reported in General MacArthur's communique today is an obvious extension of the Late operation, following the capture of the base. Kaiapit, which has an airfield, was one of advanced Japanese outposts and the headquarters for the central area between Lae and Madang. The enemy has been for many months constructing a road from Madang to this area.

At t'he same time, Allied aircraft heavily attacked the enemy's line of communication south of Madang and aerodromes at Wewak. More than 50 heavy and medium .bombers with tighter cover carried out a raid on Madang.' Fifty-four tons of bombs were dropped ami 120,000 rounds of machinegun ammunition poured out in numerous WK"" along the road which leads into the Markham Valley. Direct hits destroyed four of the prin-

cipal bridges, three others being damaged. The road itself was heavily hit. The raiders also destroyed or damaged between 20 and 30 trucks, demolished a warehouse, set huts on fire and sank two barges. No enemy fighters attempted interception and all the planes returno' 1 to their base, though three were damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Aerodromes Rounded.

The aerodromes at Wewak and Boram nearby took a pounding from our escorted heavy bombers, which concentrated 13 tons of explosives in the dispersal areas and revetments. At Boram, one enemy aircraft was destroyed by a direct hit and numerous fires were started at both aerodromes, indicating burning . aircraft and fuel dumps. An attempt to intercept our planes was made by seven enemy fighters, two of which were shot down. Japanese planes are attempting to interfere with the exploitation of Allied gains in the Lae area. Nadzab, in the Markham Valley, which was captured by the Allies as a preliminary to the drive on Lae, was raided by nine enemy bombers, escorted by 10 fighters. Lightnings intercepted before and during the raid and shot down three enemy machines and probably a fourth for tlie loss of one of ours. The bombers caused only minor damage and casualties. The Japanese lost 15 dive-bombers and five fighters in a daylight raid on Monday on American positions at Barakoma, on Veljn Lavella Island, in the central Solomons.

Admiral. Halsey’s fighters intercepted a raiding force of 30 dive-bombers, covered by 20 fighters, and in a running battle destroyed .12 of the bombers and five fighters for the loss of three of our aircraft. Anti-aircraft fire destroyed three add it ion til bombers. Guadalcanal positions were raided at night by three enemy planes which caused slight damage and casualties. Allied medium torpedo and divebombers attacked enemy gun positions on Kolombangara Island. Au ammunition dump was destroyed and large fires started. Tlie American forces on Arundel Island, between Kolombaiigara and New Georgia, are meeting stubborn Japanese resistance iu t'he northern corner of the island, where the enemy is pinned down. An attempt by tlie Japanese to strengthen •their positions by 'bringing in reinforcements in barges was largely frustrated by our fire.