Air Attacks From N. Africa

Northern Advocate, 18 May 1943, Page 3

Air Attacks From N. Africa

(Rec. 11 a.m.) bigKd (B.G.W. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, May 17. The North Africa communique says: “Last night the seaplane base at Lido Di Roma was attacked by Wellingtons and bursts were seen among parked aircraft. On Saturday night Trapani was attacked and large explosions observed. Patrols were carried out during which two enemy aircraft were shot down.” The Middle East air communique says: “Yesterday, in daylight, R.A.F. long-range fighters attacked an dnemy schooner off the east coast of Greece. This vessel was abandoned and listing badly. A smaller enemy ship was also damaged. One of our aircraft is missing.” Caught on Ground Six Japanese bombers and four fighters were caught on the ground by Allied Boston attack-bombers and Mitchell medium bombers, which raided Lae Aerodrome on Saturday afternoon. The attack is reported in General MacArthur’s communique otday. Our air crews saw many fires, indicating that extensive damage was done in the raid. As well as grounded aircraft, enemy installations were targets for Allied bombs. Three separate sweeps were made by our planes. Liberators made a noon raid on aerodrome dispersal areas at Kavieng, New Ireland, while a night raid was made on Vunakanau Aerodrome at Rabaul (New Britain). Rabaul and Kavieng are the main bases for enemy bombers raiding Allied positions in New Guinea. Fortresses on Sunday again uom'oed and strafed enemy aerodromes at Gasmata and Cape Gloucester (New Britain), which are intermediate bases for raiding Japanese planes. The bridge over the Kumul River, on the enemy’s New Guinea coastal supply road near Madang. has again been attacked by a Liberator unit. Mitchells, returning from a bombing mission on Sunday, attacked 10 Japanese bombers, escorted by two Zeros, off the east coast of Papua, near Cape Ward Hunt, about 50 miles north of Buna. They shot down a Zero and damaged one bomber. Explosions and large fires, visible for 50 miles, were caused when our heavy bombers attacked the aerodrome at Kendari (Celebes). Kendari is an important Japanese aircraft assemhly point.