37 PLANES BOW

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24555, 10 April 1943, Page 7

37 PLANES BOW

JAPANESE RAIDERS ATTACK ON SHIPPING SUCCESS FOR AMERICANS ("Recti. 8.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 0 A notable success was gained by American fighter pilots when they shot down 37 Japanese aircraft of a large formation of bombers ancl fighters which attacked American shipping in the vicinity of Guadalcanal*, Solomons Islands. A Navy Department communique states that 50 enemy bombers, escorted by 48 Zeros, attacked American shipping. American fighters shot down 21 Zeros, five dive-bombers and 10 other enemy planes of unreported type. Another enemy plane was later observed crashing. Seven American planes are missing, but one of the pilots is sale. Strongest Force Yet Sent The Japanese force was one of the strongest ever sent against American positions in the Solomons, says the Washington correspondent of the United Press. The communique did not disclose whether any American shipping

was damaged, but the decisive victory gained by the American air force is regarded as indicating that the enemy failed to gain any notable success against surface ships. The big aerial battle was the climax to two days of exceptional activity by both sides. "This large-scale Japanese raid on Guadalcanar shipping apparently is an indication of the enemy's dogged determination to continue attempts to harass and punish the American forces in the Pacific theatres regardless of cost," comments the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. "In spite of the loss of many hundreds of planes and tremendous losses of shipping and troops in both Admiral Halsey's and General Mac Arthur's territories, the Japanese are continually reinforcing their air strength and boring in for attempted blows, which thus far have ended disastrously. Evidence ol Reinforcements "After the fall of Guadalcanal- the Japanese seemerl deficient in bomber strength, but the latest raid indicates that this arm also lias been reinforced. The Secretary of War, Mr. H. L. Stimson, and the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel W. F. Knox, recently gave warning of the growing Japanese strength in the Pacific, but the result of this raid shows that the American forces also have been strengthened." Forces of Dauntless and Avenger dive-bombers, escorted .by Wildcat fighters, attacked Japanese installations at Vila, in the central Solomons on Tuesday. Hits were scored on the target area and large fires were started. All of the United States planes returned. In the early evening three Japanese planes bombed Guadalcanar Island. There were no casualties to personnel and only slight damage was reported. Enemy Shipping Attacked Catalina patrol bombers attacked Vila on Tuesday night. At the same time Flying Fortresses attacked enemy installations at Kahili, in the Shortland Island area, also enemy shipping between the Choisouel and Isabel Islands. A force of Dauntless and Avenger dive-bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked Vila on Wednesday morning. Hits were scored on enemy anti-aircraft positions and on the camp area. A large fire was started. In the early afternoon a force of Avenger and Dauntless bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked Rekata Bay, Isabel Island. A Japanese fourengined flying-boat was destroyed All of the United States planes returned. EARLY ACTION PREDICTED NEW YORK, April 8 Stability on the war fronts in the Pacific is unlikely to continue, says the Nev- York Times correspondent, Mr. Tillman Dunlin, in a despatch from Australia. The ingredients for a flareup action have been cooking for some time on both sides. It can be surmised that the brew will be boiling soon. In particular, the Lae-Salamaua deadlock must be resolved within the winter months. ENEMY BARGES BOMBED (Krccl. 8.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 0 The communique issued from General Mac Arthur's headquarters to-day states that a reconnaissance bomber sighted and attacked a group of enemy supply barges, with patrol boat escort, moving east off the coast near Kaukenau. Direct bomb hits were scored and the entire flotilla \va« strafed for an hour Fires were started on aii armed escort vessel and on three of the barges. The remainder were severely damaged. INVASION ANNIVERSARY LONDON, April s> The third anniversary of the German invasion of Norway occurs to-day. To mark it Norwegians will not appear in the streets after five o'clock. The streets will be left to Germans and Quislings.