AIR BATTLES

Grey River Argus, 25 January 1943, Page 1

AIR BATTLES

In Southern Pacific • ENEMY LOSES EIGHT PLANES (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 9.0) SYDNEY. Jan. 24. The air war throughout the South-west Pacific Command area gives no sign of slackening. General MacArthur’s bombers are maintaining an offensive initiative. The Japanese air force has become increasingly active. Eight Zero fighter planes were shot down, and four others were damaged in air battles on Friday and on Saturday. Rabaul was one of a dozen targets ipat were ‘attacked by Allied bombers on those days. A growing enemy air base at Wpwak, in North New Guinea, was the start’ng point for an epic air battle. A single Allied heavy 'ember was there attacked by eighteen Zeros. There was a running fight lasting for ninety minutes. The Allied plane got safely back to its base. There was an air action over Rabaul which accounted for five other

Zeros being destroyed and two more damaged. Allied bombers and attack planes have been particularly active in the Salamaua a*rea. Salamaua has been widely suggested as the next objective in General MacArthur’s New Guinea drive. The inland trail from Salamaua to Mubo has again been strafed. At least five Japanese barges have been destroyed along the northern New Guinea coast. Allied air sweeps are, extending from Madang to Makumbari, near Gona. North of Australia Allied bombers have attacked Fuiloro and Koepang in Timor. The Tokio radio reports unrest has grown to such an extent on Timor that safety zones have had to be established for the protection of the neutral Portuguese nationals against native reprisals. Australian reports state these native disturbances have been fomented by the Japanese, who admit that the establishment of the new zones may assist to clear out Australian and Dutch guerrilla troops that are still active on the island.