FIVE SHIPS SUNK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24749, 24 November 1943, Page 3

FIVE SHIPS SUNK

SUCCESSFUL BOMBING MacARTHUR'S OPERATIONS (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 23 The sinking of five Japanese ships, ranging from a 4000-ton freightertransport to small coastal vessels, and the probable sinking of an 8000ton freighter-transport, are reported by General Mac Arthur's communique to-day. The tally, of damage done in the continued Allied aerial offensive against enemy shipping in the South-west Pacific is a3 follows: — Sunk: One 4000-ton freighter-trans-port off Manokwari, Dutch New Guinea; one 2000-ton cargo ship, one 1000-ton cargo ship, and two small coastal vessels near Taherfane, in the Aru Islands. Attack on Convoy Damaged: One 8000-ton freightertransport hit amidships, set afire and probably sunk near Kavieng, New Ireland; one 4000-ton freighter-trans-port damaged by near misses near the Aru Islands; one 2000-ton cargo ship attacked near the Yitu Islands, New Britain; five barges and two small ships attacked off the New Britain coast.

A Japanese convoy at Taberfane was attacked on Sunday morning by Dutchmanned Mitchell medium bombers, American Liberator heavy bombers and R.A.A.F. Beaufighters. The Beaufighters shot down three enemy floatplanes. The 2000-ton cargo ship broke in half following direct bomb hits. Six Zeros intercepted the Liberators, which sank the 4000-ton freightertransport at Manokwari. Two were shot down and one was damaged. One Liberator was lost. Lone Liberatftr's Feat The 8000-ton freighter-transport probably sunk by a. lone Liberator near Kavieng, New Ireland, was part ol a three-ship convoy. Nine protecting fighters attempted to drive off the Liberator, and one was shot. down. Another convoy of six ships was also observed in the same area headed toward Rabaul.

The main Allied air activity in the Solomons was an attack by nearly 100 planes on enemy troop concentrations south of Empress Augusta Bay, on the west coast of Bougainville. Considerable destruction and casualties are believed to have been caused.