ALLIED AIR RAIDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21009, 4 February 1943, Page 3

ALLIED AIR RAIDS

JAPANESE BASES AIRFIELDS AND SHIPS RABAUL POUNDED AGAIN (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 4. The Japanese forces ringing northern Australia have apparently made a further advance along the south New Guinea coast.

This is indicated by General MacArthur’s communique yesterday announcing the first Allied air attacks on Kaukenau, in former Dutch New Guinea. Enemy supply dumps were bombed and strafed by Liberators. The Dutch in pre-war years had built numerous airfields and seaplane bases in their New Guinea territory, and it appears the Japanese are now making use of at least some of these for the consolidation and extension of thendefensive arc. Another Allied target in the same area on Tuesday was the wharf at Toeal, on Kei Island, where an attack by Hudsons started extensive fires.

For the fourth successive day Rabaul has been heavily raided. Blinding searchlight glare again prevented observation of the results. The main target was Vunakanau aerodrome. Indeed, throughout the entire New Britain area, the Allied air force continued to attack Japanese aero* dromes and shipping. Stricken Ships Beached

At Open Bay, enemy troops in launches were killed. It was observed that two cargo ships previously attacked had been beached. Oil' Lolubau Island, a Liberator attacked a 3000-ton enemy cargo ship which was towing two barges. One barge was sunk by a direct bomb hit, while a direct hit and several near misses damaged the ship so badly that efforts were made to beach her.

The Japanese drive in the Bulolo Valley against Wau, in the centre of the New Guinea goldfields area, has not been renewed. The land fighting has died down, but our planes have continued their bombing and strafing attacks along the Mubo-Komiatum trail. Reports from Australian outposts around Wau indicate that the Japanese have been using dogs, mostly of the Alsatian type, for finding our positions and giving a warning. Several of our posts have been attacked soon after the appearance of these “friendly” dogs. In Papua the mopping up of Japanese stragglers has been almost completed. General MacArthur’s communique states that 158 enemy troops, not previously reported, have been killed or have surrendered.