TRUK INVADED

Grey River Argus, 17 December 1943, Page 5

TRUK INVADED

BY U.S.A. CARRIERS i Japanese ?tay in Hiding [Aust. & N.Z. Press Assn.] (Rec. 9.5) WASHINGTON, Dec. 15. captain John Cassiuy, who is Commander of the aircraft-carrier “Saratoga/' in what are described as “guinea pig” runs, told a press conference that an American carrier task force steamed close to the Japanese naval , base .of Truk, and tried to get the Japanese to poke their noses out, but they stayed securely, behind the nets. He said that the “Saratoga” and other units penetrated areas of Truk where the Japanese normally operate regular air services, but they apparently were not seen. Captain Cassidy/s report was the first one of any action so close to the Truk base. Captain Cassidy said that the “Saratoga” participated in thirty days’ of battling in the Pacific, during which the carrier task force knocked out four enemy air fields and two warships; also damaged twelve others; also shot down twenty-four planes, and probably shot down twenty-three more; arid destroyed twenty-four on the ground. Captain Cassidy said that two attacks were made on Rabaul which caused such damage that the Japanese have completely abandoned Rabaul as a naval base. But the enemy still had four good, landing fields there, and the Rabaul area was garrisoned with a large number of troops.

ANOTHER: U.S. RAID

IN MARSHALL ISLANDS. PEARL HARBOUR, Dec. 16. Admiral Nimitz reports that United States Army Liberator bombers on Tuesday attacked Taroa aerodrome on the Maloelap Atoll, In the Marshall Islands, setting afire a hangar area. Fifteen Zeros intercepted the bombers. One Zero was shot down and four probably shot down. Five were damaged. Threo of the Liberators were slightly damaged. Japanese ’planes have made nuisance raids on the Tarawa and Makin Islands, in the Gilbert, Group, without causing damage. Four men were injured. > ____________