ENEMY BIVOUAC AREA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 121, 20 April 1944, Page 5

ENEMY BIVOUAC AREA

BOMBED BY N.Z. AIRMEN. (Official News Service.) BOUGAINVILLE, April 18. Fighter-bombers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force flew over the rugged jungle-clad Emperor Range, which stretches down the centre of Bougainville and includes two active volcanoes —Bagana f6s6oft) and Balbi (10,171 ft) _to "attack a lai>;e Japanese bivouac area at the north-eastern tip or the island. . . The enemy settlement was cunningly placed through the jungle along the shore in the guise of native villages, and consisted of groups of barracks, with thatched roofs and walls. Indications are that much of it has been built recently, and that it is being used as a post between Buka and points down the east coast of Bougainville. Inland from the barracks are vegetable gardens. The New Zealand airmen dived on to the target and sent 5001 b bombs crash ing among the buildings, some of which disintegrated in a whirling mass of grass and debris, while others collapsed readily under the blast of the explosions. American Airacobras were over the target very soon afterwards and confirmed _ the destruction caused by the Warhawks. Their bombs away, the New Zealanders swept in again to strafe the gardens with good effect. , -kt r, , , On the same day three New Zealand Daunflcsses fought an exciting battle with a strong cliff-nest of Japanese guns on the south-eastern headland of Buka, across tho channel from where the fighters were attacking. With three American Avengers, they covered the target well with 10001 b. bombs and then sallied in to strafe the area fiercely, making run after run till their ammunition was almost exhausted. After this action, not a single enemy gun was ! firing.