DARWIN AIR BATTLE

Grey River Argus, 23 June 1943, Page 5

DARWIN AIR BATTLE

55th. Enemy Attack SYDNEY, June 22. The latest attack on Darwin was the fifty-fifth since the war began. It is estimated that the Japanese lost about 50 air crew members in this engagement. Ten of the planes employed in the raid were “Dinahs” a light fast twin-engined plane, somewhat similar to the British Beaufighters. The Dinahs were unescorted and came in at tree-top level to make ineffectual strafing passes. They also dropped bombs which exploded harmlessly in scrub. A feature of the Spitfires’ defence was the splendid way in which junior flight and section leaders took command, after the Wing Commander had lost the use of his wireless, and was unable to continue as leader. “The results have justified ■ our faith in Spitfires,” said the Air Officer commanding the north-wect area, commenting on the outcome of Sunday’s big air battle over Darwin. The destruction of almost half the Japanese raiding force of 48 planes is seen by the “Svdney Herald” commentator as indicating that any weakness evident in interception tactics during the Darwin raid of May 2. when Spitfire casualties were relatively high, has since been remedied. On that" occasion, Spitfires intercepted a far superior enemy force of 21 bombers and 31 fighters. They destroyed or damaged 13 Japanese planes but their own losses were heavy. ’>

12 JAP PLANES DESTROYED, 2 PROBABLES AND 10 DAMAGED. (Rec. 9.10.) SYDNEY, June 22. The latest official analysis of the Darwin air battle is that the enemy lost eight bombers, and four fighters destroyed; one bomber and one fighter probably destroyed; and eight bombers and two fighters damaged. Eight Japanese bodies and portion of a bomber have been discovered seven miles north-east of Darwin, indicating a crash and a subsequent explosion.',