FIVE SHIPS SUNK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21260, 24 November 1943, Page 3

FIVE SHIPS SUNK

JAPANESE LOSSES ALLIED AIfT ATTACKS Swedish Statement (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY. Nov. 24. The sinking of five Japanese ships, ranging from a 4000-ton freightertransport to small coastal vessels, and the probable sinking of an 8000-ton freighter-transport, are reported by General Mac Arthur’s communique yesterday. Here is the tally _of the damage done in the continued' Allied aerial offensive against enemy shipping in the south-west Pacific. Sunk: A 4000-ton freighter-transport off Manokwari, in Dutch New Guinea, a 2000-ton cargo ship, a 1000-ton cargo ship, and two small coastal vessels near Taberfane in the Aru Islands. Damaged: An 8000-ton freightertransport, hit amidships, set on fire and probably sunk near Kavieng, in New Ireland; a 4000-ton freightertransport damaged by near misses near the Aru Islands; a 1000-ton cargo ship attacked near Vitu Islands off New Britain; five barges and two small ships attacked off the coast of New Britain.

The Japanese convoy at Taberfane was attacked on Sunday morning by Dutch-Manned Mitchell medium bombers. American Liberator heavy bombers, and Royal Australian Air Force Beau.fighters, which shot down three enemy float-planes. The 2000-ton cargo ship broke in half following direct bomb hits.'

Six Zeros intercepted the Liberators which sank a 4000-ton freightertransport at Manokwari. Two were shot down and one damaged. One Liberator was lost.

The 8000-ton freighter - transport, which was probably sunk by a lone Liberator near Kavieng in New Ireland, was part of a three-ship convoy. Nine protecting fighters attempted to drive off the Liberator and one was shot down.

Another convoy of six ships was also observed in the same area headed towards Rabaul.

The main-Allied air activity in the Solomons was an attack by nearly 100 planes on enemy troop concentrations south of Empress Augusta Bay on the west coast of Bougainville Island. Considerable destruction and casualties are believed to have been caused.