MANY RAIDS MADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 67, 20 March 1943, Page 5

MANY RAIDS MADE

ALLIED AIR ACTIVITY

SYDNEY, March 19,

A communique from General Mac Arthur's headquarters states: "North-western sector (Dutch New Guinea): One of our heavy units effectively bombed the village of Titnika, causing explosions and damage.

"Timor: Our medium bombers carried out a night attack on the aerodrome at Penfoei, bombing dispersal areas and both sides of the main run-

way. "Kei Islands: One of our heavy units effectively bombed the enemy-occu-pied town of Langgoer. "Amboina: One of our heavy reconnaissance units was intercepted by 10 enemy flghtei's, and in a desperate air combat shot six out of action v and damaged at least one other. Though badly damaged, our plane reached its base.

"North-eastern sector (Solomons): Our medium units executed a prolonged night raid on the Buka aerodrome, bombing the runway and blasting bays and dispersal areas. Antiaircraft positions were strafed and silenced. Ranging down the coast, our. bombers raided Kieta and Kahili. "New Ireland (Kavieng area): A single enemy fighter which was attempting to intercept one of our heavy reconnaissance units was shot out of action. "Admiralty Islands (Lorengau): One of our heavy units strafed an enemy coastal boat in the harbour from a low altitude. MADANG BOMBED. "New Britain (Gasmata): One of our heavy units bombed the area. "Tala Sea: One of our heavy units strafed an enemy motor-launch cruising off the coast. "Cape Gloucester: Our heavy bombers at a low altitude strafed enemy ground installations and enemy barges loaded with fuel drums.

"Witu Islands (Garove): One of our heavy units bombed enemy installations and barges. "New Guinea (Madang): Our heavy units and long-range fighters, accompanied by a strong escort, executed a co-ordinated attack on the town and aerodrome, dropping more than 38 tons of bombs and thoroughly strafing the entire area. The town was left engulfed in smoke and flames, which were visible for 60 miles. Heavy anti-aii-craft fire was encountered, but there was no attempt at interception. All of our aircraft returned.

"Alexshafen: Our long-range fighters, returning from their attack on Madang. strafed and set fire to an enemy headquarters and damaged installations and buildings.

"Salamaua: Our attack planes, from an altitude as low as 50 feet, bombed and strafed buildings and supplies alon« the shore, starting many damaging fires. Heavy anti-ah-craft fire was encountered but there was no interception."