BIG BOMBER ATTACKS

Grey River Argus, 18 October 1944, Page 5

BIG BOMBER ATTACKS

ON JAP BASES . South of Philippines (Rec. 9.25). SYDNEY, October 17. Extensive damage has been done to important Japanese oil installations ,at Balikpapan in Borneo by bombers of General MacArthur’s command during the past fortnight, wherein four large-scale attacks on this longrange objective had been made. A bombload of 400 tons has been dropped. Despite heavy losses, the Japanese, however, persist in mounting considerable interceptor strength in defence of Balikpapan.' So far they have lost 179 planes in protecting this target. T'he Allied losses have been 19 bombers and six escorting fighters. On Sunday the latest Allied mass raid on Balikpapan was made. It followed harassing attacks throughout Saturday night. The Japanese are estimated to have put up LOO interceptors. Most of these were shot down by Allied Liberators and their escorting Lightnings and Thunderbolts, which made one of the longest fighter flights of the war of over 1500 miles. The bombers started a fire among refineries and oil storage depots. The previous big attack was on October 11, and it destroyed a cracking plant and severely damaged a paraffin refinery. General MacArthur’s aircraft also have been busy hammering Japanese airfields in the Southern Philippines to hamper the movement of the enemy air strength to the scene of a great’sea and air battle which is now raring between Formosa and the Philippines. South-west Pacific bombers are also paying daily attention to Celebes, which serves a's the hub of an elaborate defence system developed by the Japanese through the Moluccas. Last month nearly 3000 tons of bombs were dropped in the Celebes area. To-day’s communique reports the destruction at Mandano. one of the island’s three main ports, of a 3000ton freighter, a 1000-ton freighter, two coastal vessels, and a number of small craft. Celebes’ other big ports are Macassar and Gorontalo. Several smaller ports have also been developed by the Japanese, while the island serves, too, . as an important air and seaplane base. Persistent bombing of Celebes targets is doing much to open the road to the Philippines for Allied forces. According to a Domei News Agency broadcast, picked up in the United States, Allied forces are using a new weapon in the Rabaul sector. The Domei Agency said: The enemy hurled five radio-controlled weapons against Rabaul, all of which our units shot down. U.S. RAIDS IN PHILIPPINES WASHINGTON, Oct 16 A Pacific Fleet communique states: Fighter aircarft swept Aparri, on the north coast of Luzon, on October 13. Only five aircraft were observed on the ground and all were destroyed. No Airborne enemy opposition was encountered.. Yesterday a large force of carrier aircraft was launched againse airfields in the vicinity ot I Manila Bay. This force was interrupted by about 50 Japanese fighters. I From 30 to 40 of the intercepting | enemy planes were shot down and an additional 15 to 20 enemy planes were

destroyed on t'he ground at Nichols, Nielson, and Marivelles airfields. Ships of one carrier task group underwent persistent aerial attacn during th e day and 30 Japanese aircraft were shot down. Only superficial damage was done to our surface ships in this attack. Nine enemy aircraft were shot down in the vicinity of another fleet unit. Complete reports from all the units are not yet available. On October 14 Mitchells bombed installations on the south coast of Paramushiro. Later two Liberators attacked th e wharves, shipping, and installations on tne north-east coast of Paramushiro. Other Liberators attacked Iwojima, Moen Island and Truk atoll. The above reported destruction or 89 Japanese planes in the Philippines brings the total of enemy planes shot down or destroyed on the ground to over 700 in the past week of the widespread raids in Japan s home waters. RAIDS ON LUZON (Rcc 11.30) WASHINGTON, Oct. 17. A Pacific Fleet communique says: American carrier-based aircraft are continuing to attack targe s on. Luzon Jslayd, in the Philippines. nUICK work~when~you use Queen 'o Bee Wax— non-slip. non-skid, non-smear.