Heavy Air Raid On Salamaua Base

Northern Advocate, 8 April 1943, Page 3

Heavy Air Raid On Salamaua Base

(Rec. 1 p.m.) RUGBY. April 7. A United States Navy communique says Army Liberators and Mitchells, escorted by Lightning's and Warhawks. made five attacks on Japanese installa lions at Kiska and one against Attu (westernmost island of the Aleutians) on Monday, when hits were scored on enemy positions.

On Wednesday Dauntless divebombers and Lightnings attacked Japanese positions at Vila in the central Solomons. Fires were started. Mitchell medium bombers, Boston attack bombers and a Flying Fortress made Tuesday’s heavy raid on Salamaua. The attacks against this already much blitzed enemy base lasted throughout a day of otherwise minor activity in the South-west Pacific area.

Scattered anti-aircraft fire was encountered by the first waves of Mitchells and Bostons, but the barrage later became intense as our attacks developed. Many Offensive Sweeps

General MacArthur's communique of April 7 states:—

North-western sector. —Aru Islands: One of our medium units bombed and strafed enemy installations at Wokam and Kenari from a low altitude. Tenimber Islands: One of our medium bombers raided the village of Alitit. North-eastern sector.—New Britain. Gasmata: One of our heavy units raided an aerodrome and bombed and strafed an enemy coastal vessel near Montagu Harbour.

Cape Gloucester: One of our heavy bombers strafed the waterfront area.

Finschhafen: One of our heavy units strafed an aerodrome from a low altitude. starting fires.

New Guinea, Salamaua: In a coordinated low-level sweep, our medium and attack units heavily bombed the town, starting large fires and silencing anti-aircraft positions. Later one of our heavy units bombed the jetty area, demolishing supply warehouses. No enemy aircraft were encountered during the day. Back From Washington

The military mission sent to Washington from the South-west Pacific has returned to Australia after a month in the United States. The mission was led by General MacArthur’s Chief-of-Staff (Major-General Richard Sutherland) and the commander of the Allied air force in this theatre (Lieut.-General George Kenney). Major-General Sutherland was the personal representative of General MacArthur. In the United States the mission had important talks with President Roosevelt and high officers of the American War Department. Vital issues were discussed, including additional aid for this war theatre and broad plans for the whole Pacific area. Generals Kenney and Sutherland have made no statement beyond that they “fully presented the military situation in this area and General MacArthur’s comments and recommendations on it.”