RAID ON LAE

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1942, Page 5

RAID ON LAE

FIVE JAP PLANES

Destroyed by Allies

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.)

(Rec. 10.40) SYDNEY. May 22 To-day’s South-west Pacific Allied G.H.Q. communique reports: A low altitude attack was made by < Allied aircraft on the Lae aerodrome in New Guinea. Two enemy bmbers were destroyed on the ground. Two others were {extensively damaged.. The Allied planes were intercepted by a force of eight enemy fighters. Three of these were shot down. All the Allied aircraft returned safely to their base.

This raid on Lae was made under the cover of dense clouds and heavy monsoonal rains, which had. apparently, grounded the Japanese bombers. The aerodrome defences were taken by surprise. The raid on Lae is the only air activity reported, adverse, weather conditions having halted all other operations. The High Command headquarters announce that in Wednesday’s air raid on Koepang, three enemy planes were destroyed, and three were damaged. Previously, two enemy .aircraft were claimed as destroyed in this attack, as well as aerodrome buildings being set on fire. (Rec. 11.45) ’ SYDNEY, May 22. Genera) MacArthur’s headquarters communique stated one grounded fighter plane was also destroyed m the attack on Lae.