RAID ON PORT MORESBY

Grey River Argus, 3 June 1942, Page 5

RAID ON PORT MORESBY

ENEMY FAILURE-ON MONDAY,: (Rec. 1.10.) SYDNEY, June 2. Allied ’planes on Monday night continued bombing attacks on enemy advance New Guinea bases at Lae and Salamaua and against the enemy’s main southward base at Rnbaul.

(Rec. 12.50). MELBOURNE, June 2. The Japanese made a bombing raid on Port Moresby on, Monday. It was the first for about ten days. It was a costly failure. Seven Japanese bombers and two fighters were .either shot down or damaged. ALLIES LOSE TWO PLANES. MELBOURNE, June 2. • A G.H.Q. communique later stated:—At Port Moresby, eighteen heavy enem v bombers, escorted by 12 Zqros, attacked the dock area at noon on Monday; Slight damage was done to workshops and to houses. Our fighters shot down or damaged seven bombers and two fighters. Two of our fighters were shot down in combat.

(Special). (Rec. 12.20.) SYDNEY, June 2. Though the Japanese midget submarine raid on Sydney harbour has dominated the news here, the Southwest Pacific air war will soon be again to the forefront. After a lapse of a fortnight, the enemy has again attacked Port Moresby, with heavy bombers,, which were accompanied by a strong escort of Zero fighters. Our defending fighters made the venture a costly one for the enemy, shooting down seven bombers and two Zeros. The official communique states that two of our 'fighters were lost. ' ' Tt>- was on Monday, at noon, the bombing raid was made, following the enemy fighter offensives. It is the first since May 18. Then the enemy employed thirty-four - bombers with an escort of fifteen fighters. (Rec. 12.30.) SYDNEY, June 2. War correspondents at Allied operational bases state that the recent Japanese use of the most modern type of Zero fighters has reduced our advantage in the relative numbers of enemy and Allied 'planes destroyed in aerial combat. Faster pursuit ’planes are an urgent need. However, increased numbers of Kittyhawks ip the area are regarded as a guarantee that attacks on Port Moresby will continue to be made costly for the J’apanese.