Three Japanese Ships Hit, Left In Flames

Northern Advocate, 18 January 1944, Page 4

Three Japanese Ships Hit, Left In Flames

(Rec. 3 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. A 10,000-ton cargo ship was hit twice amidships and (destroyed w(nen our night air patrols attacked a southbound convoy in the Kavieng area, says General MacArtbur's communique. Two other ships of 8000 and 6000 teas suffered direct hits and were left in flames. Our air patrols at Saidor intercepted an enemy attack in formation, shooting down 17 fighters and a divebomber, with two more fighters probably destroyed and minor loss to themselves. More than 30 enemy fighters attempted to intercept our attack on enemy-held villages from Cape Gourdca to Suramarang. Three were shot down, two probably destroyed and others damaged for the loss of one plane. Japanese in Hasty Retreat Australian troops without opposition on Saturday captured a Japanese barge anchorage and supply point on Huon Peninsula and have advanced three miles further to Vincke Point. This is reported in General MacArthur’s latest communique. Apparently the Japanese are still in hasty retreat and have not made a stand since their rearguard action at Kapugar River. Capture of Sio brings the Australians within 50 miles of the expanding American bridgehead at Saidor. Many natural barriers face the Australians in their advance to join the Americans. More than 60 streams, many of them crocodile-infested have to be crossed along a narrow coastal strip with the Surueagea range forming an effective inland barrier. A determined enemy stand can be expected between Saidor and Bogadjim, 40 miles west. Heavy Japanese Concentrations Bogadjim is 17 miles south-east of the strong Japanese base at Madang where the enemy is known to have heavy troops concentrations. Japanese positions along this coastline are under constant Allied and A.I.F. attacks. General MacArthurs communique reports an attack by Allied fighters on an aerodrome at Alexishafen. about 12 miles north of Madang. Three Japanese bombers and a fighter were destroyed on the ground and fires were started among supply dumps. Liberators made a heavy strike against Ulig'an Harbour, pounding gun positions, building, stores areas and a mission jetty with 96 tons of bombs. A two-masted enemy schooner was destroyed by a Lightning at Bunabuna. Mitchell bombers caused havoc among huts and gun position in a coastal sweep from Cape Gourdon to Cape Croisilles. Enemy Reinforce Rabaul

Liberators dropped 30 tons of bombs on Lakunai airfield and many 500pounders hit the revetment area at Tobera aerodrome. The Liberators returned to their bases in the Solomons with one plane damaged by ground fire. Mitchell medium bombers bombed and strafed Rapopo and Tobera and also attacked Wide Bay with parachute fragmentation bombs. Air reconnaissance revealed that the Japanese are continuing to reinforce Rabaul with aircraft and replace their heavy losses in recent weeks.

Shipping at Rabaul includes hundreds of big barges which the enemy has been using extensively in coastal waters.