ONE-SIDED FIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24203, 19 February 1942, Page 4

ONE-SIDED FIGHT

BABAUL AIR BATTLES JAPAN'S SUPERIOR FORCES GALLANT AUSTRALIAN PILOTS BKISBANE, Feb. 12 Although hopelessly outnumbered, Australian aircraft fought 100 Japanese machines which made the first air raid on New Guinea. This is revealed in a message from New Guinea, which adds:— W liile it lasted, this fearfully onesided fight was most spectacular. The Australians fought gallantly against superior forces. It will be to the everlasting credit of Australian pilots that they went up against such overwhelming odds. " ' . 1 " Tj > e Japanese flew in formations of 18. Hie tail of one Australian plane was shot away, but the pilot made a forced landing. The crew jumped out, but was machine-gunned by th e Japanese.

Enemy Shot Down "One enemy plane was shot down and crashed on the top of a mountain near RabauL Residents found two dead Japanese in it—the first enemy forces to fall on Australian soil. "Soon after the first attacks, the enemy attacked in fighter formation, and a formation of 18 large bombers followed, making for military objectives in Rabaul Harbour. One resident's house was attacked while he was in the bath, but he escaped wearing only a towel. Later aerodromes were dive-bombed. "Last Thursday 30 Japanese planes made continual dive-bombing attacks, and 14 persons were killed and a few wounded." The message- added an appeal for "fighters, and yet more fighters.' 1 It stated: "If there had been only equality or near numerical equality in the air there would be a. different tale to tell. -

Royal Australian Air Force personnel, who returned from Rabaul, reveal that the Japanese used fast, modern lighters, bombers, and dive-bombers in the New Guinea invasion. Hundreds of Bombs They said earlier raids were "nothing in comparison with those last week. Four-engined planes, with escorts, were used, and hundreds of bombs were dropped, but there were no injuries to R.A.A.F. men. They said slit trenches provided the best cover in raids. When it was seen that it would be impossible to hold the aerodrome, although it was several miles inland, the personnel was withdrawn and flown to Australia. This decision was made by officers after hearing of a Japanese landing a few miles away. The men claimed that the enemy will not be able to use their aerodrome or another near Rabaul Harbour for some time. Runways had been torn up, petrol stores exploded or drained, hangars and buildings demolished, and equipment destroyed.