NEW RAID ON DARWIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 140, 16 June 1942, Page 5

NEW RAID ON DARWIN

STOPPED BY DEFENCE

(By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyrlflht.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, June 15. Interception by Allied fighter planes frustrated a second Japanese attempt during the weekend to raid Darwin. In Sunday's action, which is described by the Allied headquarters communique as "brilliant," defending airmen shot down four out of the 18 to 25 Zeros which - came over. One Allied plane was lost.

The Japanese bombers, for which the fighters formed a. protective screen, were not engaged, but they did not penetrate to their objective and returned to their home bases with their bomb loads. The Australian pilot bailed out of the plane which was brought down and broke a leg. He was machinegunned by enemy fighters as he descended. Our fighters, which were on patrol, engaged the enemy in the early afternoon at a.height of about 28,000 feet. SEVENTEEN RAIDS. Darwin has now had 17 air raids. The biggest, on February 19 (when 72 bombers and fighters participated), was made from a height of 15,000 feet, and later raids were, made from 18,000 feet. The next series was at 20,000 feet, and Saturday's was at 25,000 feet.

Darwin's defenders say that the Japanese habit of bombing on special days is becoming monotonous. Sunday was United Nations Flag Day, and Saturday was Mac Arthur Day. Previous raids have taken place, on Good Friday, Anzac Day, and Easter Monday.

The Japanese fighters attacking Darwin are bejieved to be based on Kupang (Timor), some 400 miles away. Fitted with belly-tanks, they have a range of up to 1400 miles.