MARSHALL ISLES

Grey River Argus, 4 December 1943, Page 5

MARSHALL ISLES

U.S. Air Bases SEVERAL ENEMY PLANES DOWNED. [Aust. & N.Z. Press Assn.] (Rec. 9.40) WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. Admiral Nimitz announced: “Our aircrart continue raid and search operations in the Marshall Islands. On Tuesday m.ornin,g the Eleventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Taron aerodrome. They were intercepted by thirty-five Zeros. Seven of the Zeros were shot down. At least four were damaged. All of our planes returned, but several were damaged Two men were injured. “A Liberator of the Fleet. Air Wing, was attacked by Zeros near Mille island, in the Marshalls. It- shot down .one Zero. It probably, shot down another, and probably damaged two others. Two American destroyers in the area of the Gilbert Islands repelled a prolonged attack by enemy planes. They destroyed three, and probably destroyed two others. Neither de. stroyer was damaged. A spokesman disclosed that the Seventh Air Force also bombed Mille at noon yesterday, starting fires and explosions. Moreover Liberators bombin°- Taroa on Tuesdav morning encountering en route a large enemy convoy which was bombed and strafed, but no positive damage is claimed.

GILBERTS BATTLE

U.S. ESCORT CARFiTER LOST. LONDON, Dec. 2. A Washington report says that only one ship was lost in the Gilbert operations. The Navy has announcer) that this was the escort aircraft-carrier Liscombe Bay, whicn was torpedoed and sunk by( a Japanese submarine. U.S.A. SUBMARINE MISSING. WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. The Navy has announced that uie United States submarine, Wahoo, is overdue and must be presumed lost. Japs on Timor REPLY TO PORTUGUESE COMPLAINTS (Rec. 10.40) LONDON, De<\ 3. The Japanese Legation at Lisbon has replied to the Portuguese Premier, Dr Salazar’s statement on the Japanese occupation of Timor Island on November 27. The Japanese Legation stated: “Na'tives in an insurrection that was instigated by the Allies, were responsible for the murders of Portuguese, who, since then, have enjoyed the greatest freedom in p-oing about their work, including farming and fishing. They are benefiting from excellent sanitary conditions.” Replying to Dr Salazar’s complaint about the lack of communications between Timor and Portugal, the Japanese Legation stated that Allied bombs destroyed the Timor wireless station. The Japanese offered to transmit cables in clear language, but they could not accept code messages for reasons of military security.