THE NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Evening Star, Issue 24915, 13 July 1943, Page 3

THE NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

JAP. POSITIONS HEAVILY BOMBED SYDNEY, July 12. The Japanese positions in the Sala-maua-Mubo sector are the targets tor the heaviest air attacks in the Niw Guinea war. For the fourth successive day Allied bombers .on Sund:..v were o'ut in strength, dropping nearly 50 tons of bombs on objectives.wliica had earlier taken a terrific pounding. Mitchell medium bombers were prominent in these'raids, concentrating particularly on the Bbbdubi area, south of Salamaua. Zeros made three attempts at interception, and it is reported that five enemy fighters wera shot down for certain, as well as two others probably destroyed. Two of our escorting Lookheed-Lightnings are missing. The Japanese also lost four Zeros over Babo (Dutch New Guinea) on. Saturday, when 10 enemy fighters intercepted Liberators 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 seaplauo base at Taberiane (Aru Islands). Japan's v key~ Southern Pacific base of Rabaul, from which aircraft could go to the assistance of Japanese forces in the Central Solomons, was heavily attacked before dawn on Suudav. Liberators and Flying Fortresses unloaded 35 tons of bombs on the runway and dispersal area at the Vunukanau aerodrome. As the last ■of our bombers left the target area a big explosion occurred, and several largo fires were observed. '

General MacArthur's _ commuiiia.ua to-day reports the sinking by Allied surface units on Saturday of four loaded enemy supply barges in the Huoh 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. It has not been ' revealed what type of naval craft were engaged, but it is known that speedy patrol torpedo boats were used in the recent American landings on Nassau Bay! Some commentators suggest that craft of. this type were probably responsible for the sinking of the enemy barges. ' ' •