HOT RECEPTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1942, Page 6

HOT RECEPTION

ALLIED PILOTS OVER NEW GUINEA

JAP HOLD ON BASES

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Rec. 1.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 11

Allied pilots who took wart in the raids on Lac and Salamaua on Tuesday describe their mission as one of the hottest so far, says Ray Maley, war correspondent of the "Sydney Morning Herald." All the crews spoke of the warmth of their reception as they approached their objectives.

"The Japanese inactivity over the Port Moresby area since: last Monday week," the correspondent says, "may indicate some lessening in their bomber strength,. but it is certainly not a reliable guide to their fighter strength. The fighter, interception on Tuesday was the strongest the Allied formations have yet encountered. The pilots described with rueful admiration "the amazing aerobatics of the Zeros. The Japanese fighters' superior speed now enables them to race ahead of our fastest bombers and .then turn and come in for head-on attacks. This is now their favourite manoeuvre. Results are showing, however, that Allied pilots are just as effectively countering their tactics. / "There are only two targets/for the Allied bombers on the mainland of New Guinea —l&e and Salamaua. The latter is not very important, but Lac is the main enemy base, and judging by the great fighter protection there he places high value on it. Without that base in< Japanese hands, 'Port Moresby would acquire some immunity from bomber raids supported by fighters. . '

"The Japanese hold .on the mainland of New Guinea is confined to their foothold at Lac and perhaps a toehold at Salamaua, with perhaps small forces at a few scattered points. If the enemy's hold can be broken, and this possibility is not remote, then the, Japanese threat to Australia will have been postponed still further.".