MACASSAR RAIDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 66, 15 September 1943, Page 5

MACASSAR RAIDED

ATTACK BY HEAVY BOMBERS

SYDNEY, September 14. Allied heavy . bombers struck a powerful blow against the Japaneseoccupied base at Macassar, on the south-west coast of Celebes on Sunday night. A total of 27 tons of explosives and incendiaries was dropped on the waterfront and barracks areas. Direct hits started many fires in buildings ana warehouses near the wharves, in an oil storage tank area, and in the centre of a military barracks. Fires were also started at Mandai aerodrome. One bomber was lost.

Bombers and long-range fighters destroyed five loaded Japanese barges and a power launch in a coastal sweep in New Britain. The aerodrome at Cape Gloucester, at the western end of New Britain, was again pounded. One Allied plane failed to return from an attack by a force on enemy installations on Gasmata Island, m New Britain. In New Guinea 10 enemy divebombers with a fighter escort attacked the harbour at Morobe, 65 miles southwest of Salamaua, causing minor damage and casualties. Anti-aircraft fire shot down two dive-bombers. "The air and surface war against Japanese barges is warming the seats of the enemy's pants. Bum them up. This message was sent by Admiral Halsey, commander-in-chief of the South Pacific forces, to Major-General Twining's airmen and Commodore Moran's motor torpedo-boat crews, who are harassing Japanese barge traffic. This traffic is the enemy's life-line supplying and reinforcing the central Solomons. Unless the Japanese-break Admiral Halsey's blockade their garrisons on Kulambangra and Vella Lavella Islands are doomed. The barges range in size from small wooden boats to armoured and strong-ly-armed craft 100 ft long, that can give motor torpedo-boats a good fight. Admiral Halsey's forces during the last week sank 30, carrying fuel and ammunition. General Mac Arthur's latest communique reports that, light naval craft damaged five enemy barges during a night patrol in Kula Gulf. Gunfire from the barges and shore positions caused minor damage to our units. Allied fighters strafed and destroyed a Japanese barge and a fuel dump on Kulambangra Island.