ALLIED SUCCESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20901, 29 September 1942, Page 3

ALLIED SUCCESS

JAP. LINER FIRED ATTACKS ON RABAUL NEW GUINEA FRONT QUIET (By Tfllegrapll—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 29. Allied heavy bombers scored a direct hit and a near miss on a 15.000ton Japanese merchant ship in Rabaul harbour. When last seen, the vessel was on fire. The vessel was the largest reported to have been hit in a series of five raids in six days on Rabaul. Flying Fortresses, which made the attack shortly after dawn, dropped bombs from medium altitude on the largest ship in port. There has been no change in the New Guinea land situation on the Owen Stanley front. Allied aircraft again bombed and machine-gunned the supply lines. In the Buna-Kokoda area, supply installations, barges, camps, and storage buildings were attacked and fires started.

Allied medium bombers made a night raid on the airfield at Buin, on the southern end of Bougainville Island. ■' -

The sole Japanese offensive during the past 24 hours has been another ineffectual night raid on Darwin. Two or three planes dropped bombs harmlessly in the scrub. However, although the actual Japanese .air activities remain small, the Tokio radio continues to broadcast fantastic claims of devastating attacks. Allied troops at Port Moresby have been intrigued bv Tokio’s claim that Port Moresby’s non-existent tram service has been bombed out ot action. Japanese planes have made three raids on the Port Moresby area during the past week, but caused no damage or casualties. There is no sign that the Japanese are yet prepared to challenge Allied air supremacy. The supply route in the Buna-Kokoda area has been bombed daily since September 15. Only two attempts have been made of interception by enemy fighters.