13 Japanese Fighters Cost Two Allied

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1942, Page 3

13 Japanese Fighters Cost Two Allied

(Rec. 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 10. The northern air war flared up with unexpected • suddenness yesterday when a strong force of Japanese Zero fighters intercepted Allied planes raiding the Lae and th eSalamaua sector. In the greatest victory yet won over the Japanese air forces, 13 enemy fighters were destroyed or damaged for the loss of two Allied aircraft. This is the biggest bag of enemy fighters yet recorded in a single action north of Australia. The lull in the air war had continued for more than a week, while Japanese submarines have raided Australia’s sea lanes. In face of strong fighter and antiaircraft opposition, our aircraft pressed home the attacks, and fires were started among buildings in enemy occupied areas. The full communique says:— “Timor, Ermera: Allied aircraft attacked enemy installations. Hits were made on vehicles and buildings, starting fires. “New Guinea, Lae and Salamaua: Against strong fighter and anti-air-craft opposition, our air force heavily attacked enemy occupied areas, startnig many large fires. Thirteen enemy fighters were destroyed or damaged in combat. Two of our planes are missing. Longest Daylight Raid A report from an operational base says that yesterday’s attack on the New Guinea area was the longest sustained daylight raid ever made in the southwest Pacific.

The Japanese attempted desperately to prevent the bombers reaching the target areas, losing at least eight latest type Zeros, which were seen to crash. Another disappeared through the clouds in flames. A tenth had its propeller shot off far at sea. Three others were damaged. A strong force of Allied fighters accompanied the bombers over Salamaua, shooting down five Zeros in the first attempt to intercept our machines. The Japanese used a loose string formation after three had crashed into the sea, and made no further attempts to interfere. The bombers, however, struck a stronger formation of Zeros in tighi echelon with a single Zero in the rear. The Zeros and Allied fighters were soon mixed in a series of dogfights, but the enemy broke off the engagement after two of his planes went down in flames.

Simultaneously, dogfight encounters occurred over Lae, our bombers, despite heavy clouds, dropping high explosives and incendiaries

Hottest Mission So Far

Allied pilots who took part in the raids on Lae and Salamaua on Tuesday describe the mission as one of the hottest so far, says the Sydney “Morning Herald’s” war correspondent (Ray Maley). All crews spoke of the warmth of their reception as they approached their objectives. Japanese inactivity over the Port Moresby area since last Monday week may indicate some lessening of their bomber strength, but it is certainly not a reliable guide to fighter strength.

Fighter interception on Tuesday was the strongest the Allied formations had yet encountered. Pilots described with rueful admiration the amazing aerobatics of the Zeros.

The Japanese fighters’ superior speed now enables them to race ahead of our fastest bombers, then turn and come in for head-on attacks, which is now their favourite manoeuvre, although results are also showing that Allied pilots are just as effectively countering their t npti pq New Guinea Targets There are only two targets for Allied bombers on the mainland of New Guinea—Lae and Salamaua. The latter is not very important. Lae is the main enemy base, and judging by the great fighter protection there, he places high value on it. Without that base in Japanese hands Port Moresby would acquire some immunity from bomber raids. Supported by fighters, the Japanese hold on the mainland of New Guinea is confined to a foothold at Lae and perhaps a toehold at Salamaua, with perhaps small forces at a few scattered points. If the enemy’s hold can be broken, and the possibility is not remote, then the Japanese threat to Australia will have been postponed still further.