JAP AIR STRENGTH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 7 February 1944, Page 5

JAP AIR STRENGTH

ABOUT 100 PLANES LOST WEWAK AND RABAUL POUNDED Sydney, Feb. 6. About 100 Japanese aircraft have been destroyed in smashing Allied air attacks reported by General MacArthur’s week-end communique. Eighty of the enemy planes were destroyed in devastating raids on Wewak, New Guinea, «on Thursday; 13 were destroyed and six probably destroyed in renewed attacks on Rabaul, New Britain.

At Wewak eight enemy fighter.? were shot down in combat and 72 were blown up on the ground. Perfect timing of the strikes by more than 150 Allied raiders caught dozens of Zeros on the ground. After a preliminary air battle they were overwhelmed while being refuelled. This was the most crippling blow against Japanese air strength at Wewak since 18th-19th August last year when 225 planes were surprised on the ground. 308 TONS OF BOMBS The latest big Allied raids on Wewak were made on 23rd-24th January. On Thursday 200 tons of bombs were unloaded on Wewak, followed on Friday by a further 108 tons —a total of 308 tons. These were the heaviest bomb loads yet dropped on Wewak and caused devastation among buildings anu airstrips.

Liberators with strong Lightning, Thunderbolt and Kittyhawk fighter cover made the first attack on Thursday shortly before noon, concentrating on Wewak and Boram airfields wt;h 1000 and 2000-Ib bombs. At least 12 grounded aircraft were Air battles with 40 Zeros and interceptors developed and eight were shot down. Japanese fighters which nad landed to refuel were sitting shots for low-flying Mitchell medium bombers which swept over Wewak just after mid-day in a follow-up attack. They destroyed about 60 planes on Dagua and But aerodromes. Their fighter cover met no opposition. These two aerodromes were again by escorted Liberators on Friday. Our fighters encountered no opposition. Allied losses are reported to be light. *

General MacArthur’s communidescribes the action as “a heavy blow at the enemy’s recently strengthened air force.”

After only five lapses in five weeks, to-day the South-West Pacific headquarters communique renewed raids on Lakunai and Tobera aerodromes at Rabaul by Solomons-based heavy, torpedo and dive-bombers with fighter escort. For the loss of three of our planes is Zeros were shot down with .six others probably destroyed. Large fires y/ere started. ENEMY SHIPPING STRAFED Air blows reported by General Macj.rthur’s week-end communiques, apart from main attacks against Wewak and Rabaul, were spread over a wide area. Night patrols scored direct hits m a 6000-lon enemy merchant vessel west of Cape Matanalem, New Ireland and left it in flames and in a sinking ~ondition. North of Tala Sea on the New Britain coast two coastal vessels were destroyed in a fighter sweep. At Gasmata, New Britain, escorted medium bombers dropped 24 tons of explosive? on supply and bivouac areas. Allied aircraft have been particularly active where Madang and Alexishafen were oounaeu with 65 tons of bombs. Our fighter patrols also heavily strafed the along the north New Guinea coast coastal sector. —J.A. Special Australian Correspondent.