TIMOR TO RABAUL

Grey River Argus, 22 January 1943, Page 5

TIMOR TO RABAUL

ALLIED BOMBINGS Enemy Fighters Increase [Special to N.Z. Press Assn]. (Rec. 10.15.) SYDNEY, Jan. 21. Allied bombers have been pounding Japanese bases across a wide arc from Timor Island to the Northern Solomon Islands. The raids made during the past fortnight have represented the greatest sustained air offensive ever launched in the South-west Pacific. To-day’s communique from General MacArthur’s Headquarters reports bombing attacks on ten separate points of Australia’s “Near North,” while American aircraft from Guadalcanal’ Island have been raiding Japanese-oc-cupied islands in the Solomons It is widely believed that these latter blows in the Solomons have been delivered to hamper an expected Japanese thrust against Guadalanc.ir Island. Mitchell medium bombers of the South-west Pacific Command on Wednesday attacked a jetty at Dobo, on the Arui Islands, in the Banda Sea. They probably destroyed one of three intercepting enemy float ’planes. A Liberator ’plane on reconnaissance over Amboina Island shot down an intercepaing Zero In Timor Island. Mitchell ’planes bombed Lautem. over Fuiloro. There the Japanese have lately constructed an aerodrome. Five Zeros attempted to drive off the formation of Mitchells. One enemy ’plane was damaged from these actions. It is apparent that the Japanese fighter aircraft strength in the area immediately north of Australia is on the increase. New Britain had three Allied raids on Wednesday. A Liberator strafed three enemy ’ barges as a result of which they were beached near Cape Hollman at the tip of Willaumez Peninsular, on the north coast of New Britain Enemy aerodromes at Gasmata and Cape Gloucester were raided. The Madang, Finschafen, Lae and Kumusi River mouth areas, in North New Guinea, have again been attacked, airfields, supplies and wharf areas being the targets.

SOLOMONS FRONT

JAP SHIP BOMBED WASHINGTON, Jan. 20. A Navy communique states: During the afternoon of January 18, a force of Flying Fortresses, escorted by fighters, bombed a Japanese cargo ship anchored off the Shortland Island area. Two hits were scored on the vessel, which was left burning. Two enemy' float-type Zeros were shot down. One of our failed to return. The U.S. Navy in a communique stated: During the period January 13 to 17, inclusive, 1032 Japanese were killed in various actions between the United States and enemy forces at Guadalcanal'.