Liberators Destroy Wewak Munition Depot

Northern Advocate, 1 October 1943, Page 3

Liberators Destroy Wewak Munition Depot

SYDNEY, This Day,

The main ammunition storage depot at the Japanese Wewak base, on the north coast of New Guinea, was destroyed on Tuesday in a devastating raid by Liberator bombers. The explosion was the biggest seen by the air force in the south-west Pacific. The depot is believed to have been the principal source of supply for tho enemy’s entire operations in New Guinea.

The Japanese put up a screen of 40 fighters, eight of which were shot down and three others probably destroyed. Allied aicraft sustained damage but all returned to base.

Today’s communique from General Mac Arthur giving details of the raid says “our escorted heavy bombers continued the attack to deny the enemy use of air bases by dropping 145 tons of explosives in the main supply dumps and installations in Wewak area. His principal ammunition storage depot halfway towards the east end of the Wewak peninsula was destroyed in a terrific explosion, which obscured the entire peninsula. Flames were visible 60 miles away. A great fuel dump near Mission Point was destroyed and eight large fires were started in supply dump areas near Boram. Numerous ether blazes dotted Wewak peninsula.” Finschhafen Advance In the battle for Finschhafen. Australian forces have captured further Japanese positions around Bumi River Some of our forward elements are between 600 and 700 yards from Finschhafen anchorage. An Allied force advancing on Finschhafen from Lae has reached Mange Point, on the Huon Gulf about 16 miles from Finschhafen. So far they have advanced about 30 miles in a little over a week through some of the most difficult country in New Guinea. Landslide Caused Liberators continued attacks on enemy communications in the Bogadjim area south of the Madang base, on the Northeast coast of New Guinea. They dropped 24 tons of 10001 b bombs on Yaula Road, causing an extensive landslide obstruction in a narrow winding sector south of Daumoina. Admiral Halsey's bombers with strong fighter escorts, heavily attacked Kahili aerodrome and gun positions in the vicinity on Bougainville Island, 'Central Solomons. Direct hits were scored on supply and bivouac areas and on gun positions and many fires were started. A force of 30 Japanese fighters challenged the raiders and two were shot down for the loss of one Allied fighter. Off Bitka Island, north of Bougainville Island, Allied aircraft on reconnaissance shot down two and probably destroyed a third of eight Zeros covering enemy shipping. In Vella Lavella Gulf, naval surface units sank three enemy barges attempting to run a blockade at night.