AUSTRALIAN BOMBERS

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1942, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN BOMBERS

Surprise Japanese [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 10.55). CANBERRA, Feb. 24. Australian bombers caught the Japanese off their guard when they were raiding enemy shipping in Rabaul Harbour on Monday. Several direct hits were scored both on ships and on enemy-controlled aerodromes. “The attacks seemed to take the Japanese by surprise,” said the Air Minister, Mr. Drakeford, to-day, “as the enemy fighters made no attempt to intercept the Australians until the raid was about to end. One Japanese fighter was shot down. Two others were probably destroyed. One Australian plane has failed to return to its base. Three other airmen were wounded. Darwin Raids .AUSTRALIAN INQUIRY. (Rec. 10.55). CANBERRA, Feb. 24. The Minister for the Army, MrF. M. Forde, has announced that a full inquiry is taking place regarding the recent Darwin raids, in order io ascertain the methods employed by the enemy, and also whether the defensive action taken against them can be made more effective There also will be an investigation as to whether there is any suspicion of subversive elements among the coloured population that are calculated to be of assistance to the Japanese.