RABAUL & KAVIENG

Grey River Argus, 8 January 1944, Page 5

RABAUL & KAVIENG

BOMBED BY ALLIES /• . «> ■ / •. Jap. Destroyers Hit [Aust. & N.Z. Press Assn.] (Rec. 11.55.) SYDNEY, Jan. 7. General MacArthur, in his communique, to-day reported a further sweep over Rabaul by Allied Soio-mons-based fighter ’planes. thirty Zeros were intercepted by fighters. Ten of the Zeros were shot down. Five others were probably destroyed. The Allied force lost one Corsair. These persistent Allied fighter sweeps are based on the Empress Auguta Bay airstrip on Bougainville Island. They are forcing Japanese fighters to engage in combat. Such tactics prevent the Japanese from ■building up reserves of airpower Rabaul. The enemy no sooner brings in fresh air strength to Rabaul than it is forced to fight by challenging Allied sweeps. ; Kavieng in New Ireland, is feeling the effects of increased. Allied air pressure, which was promised by General MacArthur recently. The latest strike against this enemy base was made last Tuesday morning by American carrier-based aircraft. They badly damaged two Japanese destroyers. Thev shot down nine enemy ’planes. The two destroyers were caught in the harbour. They were hit by both torpedoes and 1,0001b bombs. One Allied ’plane was lost. Others were damaged. Other Japanese shipping was attacked on Tuesday last by Beaufighters at Koepang. in Timor. A schooner loaded with troops was left burning. RabauFs Danger JAPANESE ADMISSION. (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 9.5.) SYDNEY, Jan. 7. The great Japanese supply base of Rabaul, in New Britain, is in grave danger, according to an admission by the Tokio radio. It stated: “Our position in the South-west Pacific has become very serious in the past few days, and the menace to Rabaul has become acute.” The radio declared: “Our forces have been placed at a disadvantage, since the enemy has now the mastery of the air. and he dominates our supply line. The enemy also has at his disposal numerous aerodromes.”