RABAUL BATTERED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21305, 18 January 1944, Page 3

RABAUL BATTERED

NINE SHIPS HIT--29 ZEROS "DESTROYED

ASSAULT ON AIRFIELDS

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 18. In a heavy attack on Rabaui harbour in New Britain at midday on Friday, Allied Dauntless dive-bombers and Avenger torpedo-bombers from bases in the Solomons scored direct hits and damaging near misses on seven Japanese cargo vessels, a light cruiser and a destroyer.

A strong Allied fighter escort engaged between CO and 70 intercepting Japanese fighters and, in a long series of dogfights, shot down 29 of them,, with many more probables. The raid cost the Allies two bombers and eight fighters. Four pilots were saved. This heavy strike at Rabaui, which is in the latest communique issued by General MacArthur’s Headquarters, followed a five-hour harassing night attack by Liberators and Mitchells on Vunakanau, Lakunai, Tobera and Rapopo aerodromes and the township of Rabaui. The Liberators dropped 30 tons_ of bombs on Lakunai airfield. Many 5001 b. bombs hit the revetment area at Tobera. The Liberators returned to their bases with one plane damaged by ground fire. Mitchell medium bombers strafed Rapopo and Tobera ’dromes and also attacked Wide Bay with parachute fragmentation bombs.

Air reconnaissance revealed that the Japanese are continuing to reinforce Rabaui with aircraft and replace their heavy losses in recent weeks. The shipping at Rabaui includes hundreds of big barges which the e’nemy is uSing extensively in coastal waters. At Cape Gloucester the American Marines captured Hill 660, a key defensive position in the enemy’s Borgen Bay line, which is strongly organised on commanding heights. The Marines are now mopping up and consolidating their gainst