BARGES BOMBED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21066, 10 April 1943, Page 3

BARGES BOMBED

TAP. SHIP MOVEMENTS ALLIED AIR ATTACKS ENEMY’S ISLAND ARC I Special Australian. Correaimndent.) (10 a.m.) SYDNEY, April .10. A single Royal Australian Air Force Hudson made a bombing and strafing attack on Thursday on a group of 12 Japanese supply barges oil Kaukenau on the south coast of Dutch New Guinea. The presence of those barges is not regarded as indicative of any fresh move by the enemy. ICaukenau is one of the _ most easterly points of enemy expansion of the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea, but the Japanese are believed to have constructed an airstrip sliil closer to the Allied base at Merauko. A communique issued by General Mac Arthur states: — ■ ‘Dutch New Guinea, Timika: One of our medium units bombed the airfield. “Kaukenau: One of our reconnaissance bombers sighted and attacked a group of enemy supply barges -with a patrol boat escort moving east off the coast. Direct bomb hits wore scored and the entire flotilla was strafed for an hour. Fires were started on an armed escort vessel and on three of the barges. The remainder were severely damaged. “Aroe Islands: One of our medium units strafed a number of enemy coastal vessels in the Arafura Sea. “Tanimbar Island, Saumlake: One o four medium units bombed and strafed the jetty area. “New Ireland, Kavieng: One of our heavy units bombed the new I’anapai aerodrome. “New Britain, Übili Area: One of our heavy units bombed and strafed enemy installations at Ulamona. “New Guinea, Finschhafen: One of our heavy units bombed and strafed the area.’’