From Amboina To Rabaul

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 27, 2 February 1943, Page 5

From Amboina To Rabaul

LONDON, February 1.

In the south-west Pacific Allied bombers have made widespread attacks on Japanese bases from the former Dutch naval base of Amboina to Rabaul in New Britain.

The Allied objective at Rabaul was the large concentration of Japanese shipping there. There was strong anti-aircraft fire, but all the bombers returned.

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 1. Eleven Japanese bases north ana north-east of Australia were, attacked by General Mac Arthur's bombers yesterday. Four of the attacks were directed against shipping, four against buildings and installations. The stepped-up Allied air offensive was maintained from' Amboina to New Britain. -~*■, Ground fighting is reported to be continuing in the Wau-Mubo area, where more than 300 Japanese dead have now been counted. In support of the Allied ground forces, Havoc attack planes bombed and strafed the enemy's rear round Mubo and Komiatum. , | Yesterday raids on Japanes shipping, for which no specific damage claims are made, occurred at Amboina, in the Banda Sea, Wewak, New Guinea, and Rabaul and Arawe, if! New Britain. The attack reported on shipping at Wewak is the first indicating the presence of Japanese vessels m that northern New Guinea area,' where an enemy fighter base has been developed. However, it is revealed that small ships have been using the port for some weeks. Selaru Island, in the Tammbar Group, on the northern edge of the Arafura Sea, is also mentioned for the first time in today's communique. A jetty was bombed there. The Tanimbar Islands are the nearest Japanese bases to Darwin. At Koepang, on the south-western tip of Timor, Beaufighters heavily raided the aerodrome and eight bombers were destroyed or damaged. One fighter was caught on the ground. Hangars and other buildings were set on fire, and many vehicles in a nearby motor pool were destroyed or damaged. A warehouse which is believed to have stored ammunition blew up. On the south-east coast, of Timor another enemy base, Viqueque, was bombed by Hudsons. Today's communique from General Mac Arthur's headquarters also reports a sweep by Beaufighters down the Markham Valley and around the mouth of the Waria River, midway between Buna and Salamaua. A Catalina strafed a building in the Finschhafen harbour area early on Sunday morning.