Crack Jap. Pilots Try To Stop Air Assaults

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1944, Page 3

Crack Jap. Pilots Try To Stop Air Assaults

(Special) SYDNEY, This Day. Concentrated bombing during recent weeks has wrought havoc with Japanese installations in the Celebes. In an attempt to prevent further heavy destruction, crack enemy pilots are now putting up stiffening defence over the area. Twice in the past week, Liberators raiding the Japanese air centre of Kendari have been intercepted by small but aggressive enemy fighter formations. In the first interceptions on September 25 three of nine interceptors werq shot down for the loss of one Lightning. On Saturday five fighters attempted to drive off raiding Liberators. Three were shot, down and a fourtli probably destroyed. A single enemy bomber was also shot down. All Allied planes returned to base. Since September 26 Catalina night marauders known as “Black Cats,” have destroyed or seriously damaged more than 100,000 tons of Japanese shipping between the Celebes and the Philippines. This is described at General MncArthur’s headquarters as "a paralysing blow ur Japan’s critical shipping situation.”

The loss of tankers employed in carrying fuel from the Borneo oil port of Bal’ik Papan, poses the Japanese with a serious problem. In British New Guinea, remnants of General Adachi’s Japanese 18fh Army are being heavily hir, from the air. These enemy troops and their supplies are nearing exhaustion point. . They have already suffered severe casualties and their position is hopeless.