JAP SQUADRON

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 11, 13 July 1943, Page 5

JAP SQUADRON

FLEES FROM ALLIES

SOLOMONS DEVELOPMENT

(Special P.A. Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, July 12. The Japanese force of light cruisers and destroyers which was reported yesterday to be approaching New Georgia, in the central Solomons, has turned and fled northward. The warships were last reported 15 miles north of Kulambangra, making- in the direction of the Buin-Faisi area, the Japanese naval concentration point in the northern Solomons.

The Japanese positions in the Sala-maua-jVlubo sector of New Guinea have been targets for the heaviest air attacks in the New Guinea war. For the fourth successive day, Allied bombers yesterday were out in strength, dropping nearly 50 tons of bombs on objectives which earlier had taken a terrific pounding. Mitchell medium bombers were prominent in these raids, concentrating particularly on the Bobdubi area, south of Salamaua.

Zeros made three attempts at interception, and it is reported that five enemy fighters were shot down for certain, as well as two others probably destroyed. Two of our escorting Lightnings are missing. The Japanese also lost four Zeros over Babo, in Dutch New Guinea, on Saturday when 10 enemy fighters intercepted Liberators which were raiding the aerodrome. One Liberator was lost in combat.

Three Japanese float planes and one flying-boat were hit when our planes attacked the enemy seaplane base at Taberfane, in the Aru Islands. Rabaul, from which aircraft could go to the assistance of the Japanese forces in the central Solomons, was heavily attacked before dawn yesterday. Liberators and Flying Fortresses unloaded 35 tons of bombs on the runway and dispersal area at Vunakanau aerodrome. As the last of our bombers left the target area, a big explosion occurred. Several .large fires were Observed.

General MacArthux*'s communique today reports the sinking by Allied surface units on Saturday of four loaded enemy supply barges in the Huon Gulf-Salamaua area. This is the first time the use of Allied surface craft along this section of the north New Guinea coast has been reported.