ENEMY SURPRISED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24281, 23 May 1942, Page 7

ENEMY SURPRISED

AIRCRAFT ATTACK LAE INTERCEPTED BY FIGHTERS MANY PLANES ACCOUNTED FOR (Reed. 10.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, May 22 To-day's communique from General Mac Arthur's headquarters reports a low-altitude attack by Allied aircraft at Lae aerodrome. Two enemy bombers were destroyed on the ground and two others were extensively damaged. Our planes were intercepted by a force of»eight enemy fighters and three of these were shot down. All our aircraft returned safely to their base. This raid on Lae was made under cover of dense clouds of heavy monsoona! rains, which had apparently grounded the Japanese bombers. The aerodrome defences were taken by sur-

prise. The raid on Lae was the only air activity reported, adverse weather conditions having halted all other operations. The High Command Headquarters announce that in Wednesday's air raid on Koepang three enemy planes were destroyed and three damaged. Previously, two enemy aircraft were claimed to have been destroyed. In this attack aerodrome buildings were set on fire. JAPAN'S NEXT STEP UNITED NATIONS' CAUTION MORE AIRCRAFT NEEDED LONDON. May 22 The direction which the next Japanese offensive is likely to take is discussed by the Times in its main leading article this morning. It says that the Australian and American Governments, although encouraged by the recent engagement in the Coral Sea, are wise to expect a fresh attempt to cut the Allied Pacific communications and to prevent the use of Australia as a springboard for a counter-offensive, either by encirclement or invasion. The Times adds that Japan's persistent attempts to undermine Indian confidence, and the continued reinforcement of the Japanese army in Burma, are pointers to a coming attack on India. Other signs, such as the important offensive in the Chinese coastal province of Chekiang, may seem to confirm the belief that China is the next target for a major offensive. Unfortunately, the Japanese command of the eastern seas makes certainty as to the aims and direction of the next attack impossible. The reinforcement of all the Far Eastern and Pacific forces of the United Nations by fighter and bomber aircraft, says the Times, is a matter of urgency in whatever fashion or direction the Campaign may next develop.