Japanese Naval Force Driven Off HEAVY RAIDS ON AIR BASES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 5 July 1943, Page 5

Japanese Naval Force Driven Off HEAVY RAIDS ON AIR BASES

Sydney, July 4. Fierce fighting continues in the Solomon Islands for the possession of the important Japanese airfield and base at Munda, New Georgia. This key stronghold has been subjected to a terrific air pounding supported by naval guns and by heavy artillery landed on Rendova Island, seven and a half miles away. A Washington message reports that a Japanese task force of three cruisers and four destroyers attempting to prevent American forces consolidating their positions at Rendova was driven off by units of the United States fleet. The engagement may be continuing. General MacArthur’s week-end communique reports widespread air activity by both Allied and Japanese forces. While planes have been endeavouring to interrupt the Allied offensive moves principally in the Solomons area, but also on the New Guinea mainland, bombers of the South-West Pacific Command have been engaged in heavy raids on enemy air bases. For the fourth successive night Liberators and Flying Fortresses on Saturday raided the airfield network at the Japanese key Southern Pacific base, Rabaul. Week-end attacks have seen more than 50 tons of bombs dropped on these aerodromes. No estimate of the enemy air strength at Rabaul has been given by General MacArthur’s headquarters but Allied reconnaissance planes on Friday counted more than 60 aircraft on the ground at Faisi, an important Japanese air base in the Northern Solomon® Enemy air bases as remote from the battle area as Kendari (the Celebes), and Koepang (Timor) have been under attack. Japanese aircraft attempting to interfere with Allied operations continue to suffer heavy losses. So far there is no official confirmation of suggestions that the Japanese are rushing naval reinforcements into the Solomons area nor has there yet been any report of increased air strength being brought in to counteract t e loss of more than 150 planes incurred since the Allied drive began. It has been announced that General MacArthur is in New Guinea personally directing operations from headquarters.