UTE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 March 1943, Page 2

UTE MESSAGES

“CONVOY” COMMENTS.

SYDNEY, March 8. “Estimated in terms of relative losses the battle of Bismarck Sea was less a battle than a massacre,” declares the Sydney “Herald,” reviewing editorially the details of the fighting, revealed in General MacArthur’s latest communique. Observers here have been particularly surprised at the number of Japanese fighters given at 150, providing cover for the convoy. This imposing aerial screen was literally shot to pieces by Allied aircraft. Of the 102 enemy planes shot out of action, ar least 63 were destroyed for certain. For an air battle of such magnitude, the Allied air losses of four planes was amazingly small. “Qualitatively, the air command has passed to the Allies in the Southern Pacific,” adds the Sydney “Herald.” The Japanese have no answer to our massive, hard hitting, skilfully handled land-based aircraft. Inferiority in this weapon, pre-eminently the great new weapon of this war, will doom them to inferiority at sea as well, wherever our longrange bombers and fighters can reach. The paper goes on to emphasise that the quantity of aircraft is no less important than quality, and declares the Southern Pacific will need many more planes if early and full advantage is to be taken of the staggering reverse just inflicted on Japan. Declaring the Southern Pacific has established a clear-cut claim to all aircraft reinforcements the Allies can possibly spare, the “Herald” adds: “Nowhere else has so small aerial capital yielded so high a dividend, and in no other threatre has the pattern of victory over Japan been so clearly prefigured.” A General Headquarters spokesman declares that the prime reason for the victory of Bismarck Sea was the great fighting morale, which has been built up in the Allied air forces. Without capacity in execution, the most brilliant plan could not hope to succeed. By coincidence, the two latest Japanese convoys smashed while on the way to Lae, were discovered by one plane crew. Even more strange is the fact that the officers of this crew, when thej 7 found the second convoy on March 1, were flying together for the first time since the mission on which they discovered the first convoy on January 6. The airmen are Lieutenants Walter Niggins (Texas), Lyle Schoelnaur (Nebraska), George Selmer (Indiana), and Robert Pavious New York State). “It was a sweet revenge to be able to play a big part in this show, because we paid for our previous success by being shot down by Zeros guarding the ships,” said Niggins. “We crash landed and were picked up two days later.” The luckiest airman in the Southern Pacific is Lieutenant James Diefienderfer, a West Virginia Fortress pilot, who has lost six engines in his last eight missions. During the convoy battle he also had an instrument panel smashed by bullets from a Zero and flew 500 miles with the tail elevators torn off. General MacArthur has received congratulatory messages from leaders of the United Nations, in all parts of the world. Service chiefs who offered congratulations include, Wavell, Marshall, King, Nimitz and Halsey, N.Z. CONGRATULATIONS WELLINGTON, March 8. The following is the text of a message from the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) to Mr. Curtin: “Will you please convey to General MacArthur, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand a message of the warmest congratulations on the decisive victory by his forces in the Bismarck Sea. This action undoubtedly contributed in a considerable measure towards lessening the immediate menace threatening Australia and Nev/ Zealand, is an important step towards victory in the Pacific. RUGBY LONDON, March 6. A Rugby match between teams representing the Airborne Division and combined New Zealand and Australian Air Forces, was played at Richmond. The match was used as a wireless trial for a new type of self-contained transmitter. A commentary on the match was broadcast to members of the Airborne Division who were unable to attend. They reported full strength reception. The Airborne Division won by 8 to 6.