CONVOY CAUGHT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 123, 19 February 1944, Page 7

CONVOY CAUGHT

Allied Attacks Off New Ireland

TANKER BEACHED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.)

(Special Australian Correspondent.)

(Received February 18, 10.30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, February 18.

A Japanese convoy surprised while trying to reinforce the hard-pressed enemy garrisons in the Bismarck Archipelago is being destroyed by Allied aircraft. Already six ships have been sunk or seriously damaged, and attacks are continuing. . Allied reconnaissance planes found tho convoy after dark on Tuesday and bombers went out in force immediately. lucy destroyed or seriously damaged an bOOCton tanker, which was beaejed. oral direct bomb hits were scored on a 6000-ton transport or cargo ship, tnrei 1500-ton cargo ships and an escorting de Th O e ye eonvoy was sighted 25 miles north-west of Mussau Island, off New Ireland. Catalina flying-boats attacked, but the first strong raid was made by low-flying Mitchells just before noon on Wednesday. They scored 10 direct hit., on a 6000-ton freighter and five hits on an accompanying gunboat. Pilots report that several internal explosions devastated the freighter, which was destroyed. A later attack left another freighter burning and sinking rapidly. General MacArthur’s latest communique, which discloses the attack on the convoy, also reports continuation Or the incessant pounding of Rabaul, tne main Japanese base in the Bismarck Archipelago. On Monday and Tuesday Allied bombers dropped 221 tons ot explosives on Tobera, Rapopo and Vunu kanau aerodromes. At dawn on Monday, our medium units surprised In enemy fighters lined up on the Tobera aerodrome and in a low-level strafing sweep destroyed or damaged them ail. Later, a further eight parked plMies were destroyed or damaged. Of 20 enemy interceptors, one was shot down. On Tuesday the Japanese sent up ad interceptors to meet our attack, losing nine, with two others probably destroyed. We lost one plane, with several damaged. THE LAND~FIGHTING Progress Maintained (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received February 18. 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 18. Continued Allied progress in the land fighting in the South-west Pacific is reported by General MacArthur’s , communique today. American forces in the Rottock Bay area, New Britaiu, have reached the El River. They found the bodies of many Japanese dead. The Australians west of Saidor, on the Rai coast of New Guinea, have contacted the Japanese along the Mot River. Over the Green Islands,, where New Zealand and American troops continue the work of consolidating their positions. Allied air patrols intercepted 15 Japan ese diveffiombers attacking our shipping. Six of the enemy machines were shot down.

It is announced from Washington that American casualties in the recent land ings at Saidor, New Guinea, and Arawfc, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, were 465 killed, 1156 wounded, and 12 missing.