RABAUL RAIDED

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 May 1942, Page 5

RABAUL RAIDED

JAP. BOMBERSDESTROYED NEW DROME ABLAZE MELBOURNE, May 25. One of the heaviest attacks yet made against the enemy in the northeastern sector was delivered by Allied aircraft in Rabaul yesterday. Today’s communique from Allied headquarters states: “Vunakanau aerodrome at Rabaul was attacked by our Air Force, inflicting severe losses on enemy grounded heavy bombers. Twenty bombs were dropped on one group of about 20 parked aeroplanes. All landed in the target area. Two direct hits were observed and many aeroplanes were set on fire. One building was left ablaze. Considerable anti-aircraft fire was encountered, but no fighter interception. One of our aeroplanes has not returned.” , Fifty-five Japanese aeroplanes have been destroyed or damaged in recent raids north of Australia. The special Australian correspondent of the New Zealand Press .Association says that Vunakanau is the largest aerodrome in New Britain. It is situated about 12 miles east of Rabaul town in Blanche Bay. Although it has not been previously mentioned in Allied communiques many earlier raids have been made upon it. The last three weeks’ raids on Rabaul have resulted in six enemy bombers and 10 fighters being destroyed. A further 14 bombers and four fighters were damaged. Six vessels in Rabaul harbour have also been damaged during the period. The Japanese have been steadily amassin" equipment at Rabaul lor almost three months. They have fortified the harbour, enlarged the wharves and storage facilities, and have since used it as their main southward base. A considerable part of the enemy air strength in this theatre is centred at Vunakanau; the aerodrome having been extended by the. Japanese and administration buildings erected. Some weeks it wns reported thut a Japanese force of 80 heavy bombers with adequate fighter support was based at Vunakanau and lesser aerodromes near Rabaul. The enemy forces which occupied the Buka Passage in the northern sector of the Solomon Islands came from Rabaul. Allied raids on this main enemy South Pacific stronghold are increasin On Saturday Allied bombers attacked shipping at Amboina, after Surabaya the most important naval base in the Netherlands East Indies, which is 580 miles north ol Darwin. A strong force of Zero fighters intercepted and three were shot down. One Allied aeroplane was lost in combat. The bombers and fighters were numerically and evenly matched. The fighters had a great advantage in firepower. A 25-year-old Royal Australian Air Force squadron leader, who led the raid, said only superb formation flying enabled the bombers to get clear and inflict such heavy losses on the Japanese attackers. “Our rear gunners were magnificent and made the Zeros keep their distance. Bombs he said, were dropped round four ships of 1000 to 8000 tons. Antiaircraft fire and fighter opposition prevented observation ol the results. Lac, the Japanese advance base in the New Guinea mainland, was also attacked by Allied aircraft on Saturday following a fierce raid on Fri3 A fine feat of courage by two members of the crew of an American aeroplane is reported. The bomber was taking part in a raid when the hydraulic gear closing the bomb doors failed to function. The speed of the aeroplane, which was then being attacked by Japanese fighters, was being seriously retarded. Two 20-year-old members of the crew volunteered to try to close the doois. They were lowered on ropes and by main strength managed to drag the doors back into position. Because of the confined space in which they were compelled to work the men were unable to wear parachutes. The bomber had just shot down a Zeio fighter.

JAPS SHORT OF BOMBERS. (Recd. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 25. Japan is beginning to I'eei lhe pinch of an aircraft shortage particularly bombers, says the “Mails Australian correspondent, Noel Monks, who adds: This information comes from a reliable source. Japanese plane production is estimated at below 600 a month. The losses on all fronts in live months is believed to be about 2000 The Japanese have never launched a real air blitz against our Pacific bases. All the attacks have been on a small scale, compared with the assaults on Malaya, Singapore and Java The enemy, instead of tiyin b to knock out Port Moresby has nibbled at this base, and the Allies, as the result, were able to build up their strength. This surely indicates that the Japanese have been nursing their strength in this zone, knowing that because of heavy calls in China and Burma, their reserves in the south-west Pacific would have to be limited. The enemy undoubtedly has more air power in the south-west Pacific he has not yet used, but one thing is certain, he can never move against Australia without complete air superiority. If the Japanese dicl not know that before, they know it now, after the Coral Sea baffle.

SHIPPING LOSSES. LONDON, May 25. The Japanese are making great efforts to raise hundreds of ships formerly belonging to the Allies and themselves, which were sunk at Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore, Netherlands Indies, and the Philippines, cays the “Mirror.” The Japanese are facing up to shipping losses, and planning for a prolonged war. lhe shipbuilding capacity in Japan and her occupied bases has increased enormously, but it will never reach the sinkings which the Japanese will have to face, when Allied air forces can hit back effectively. The Japanese reckon it will take the Allies at least two years to concentrate sullicient shipping in the Pacific to hit back properly, whatever is the outcome of the European war. They hope in that period to raise, repair, and build enough ships to maintain communications. ana offensive strength. They are not reckoning on the enormous capacity of the Allied dockyards.

DEBT TO BRITAIN AND U.S.A

(Recd. 9.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 25

In his Empire Day address to the Royal Empire Society the Minister of the Army (Mr. Forde) paid a tribute to the United States for her aid in the war. He said that Australia with her 3,000,000 square miles of territory and 7,000,000 British lives to protect, could not hope to hold this country against an avalanche of men and equipment that could have landed on Australian soil if it were not for the generous assistance given by Britain, and now by the great American democracy. Mr. Forde said he was convinced that both the British Prime Minister and the Government were most anxious to help Australia, the loss of which would be a staggering blow to the Empire. Australia’s interests were indissolubly bound up with the interests of the British Empire and other democracies. Australia was irrevocably committed to stand or fall

with the Allies. There must be no half-measures about Australia’s contribution to the war effort. BRITISH LABOUR. LONDON, May 25. A resolution by the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party, referring to the international situation stated: “The conference reaffirms its comradeship with the people of Australia and New Zealand, now facing with proud confidence, the threat of a Japanese invasion, and affirms the conviction that all Great Britain can do in men and arms to assist them will be done.” DR. EVATT’S APPRECIATION. (Recd. Noon). LONDON, May 25. “Australia, and New Zealand stand to-day one hundred per cent, with you in the war,” said Dr. Evatt. speaking to the Labour Party annual conference. “Britain in 1940 saved the world, and Australia and New Zealand stayed by you, and were lavish with their own forces. To-day, the two British democracies of the Pacific themselves are in danger. From my observations I know the people of Britain realise that, and desire to help us.”

Dr. Evatt declared that adequate aid for Australia and New Zealand would not prejudice plans for an offensive action against the enemy in Europe. It was quite incorrect to suppose that the United States was exclusively responsible for the defence of Australia and New Zealand. Britain had also recognised her share in the responsibility for the defence of these essential bases.