SMASHING BLOWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24869, 15 April 1944, Page 4

SMASHING BLOWS

'ASSAULT ON PELEW WIGHTY AMERICAN FORCE •In this despatch, written just after the raids, Mr. Ihniis Warner, Australian war correspondent with the United States Pacific naval task force, describes the smashing assaults on Pelew. Woleai and Yap when 45 Japanese ships ■were sunk or damaged. Driving the Japanese fleet from its anchorage, more than 1000 miles inside its Centra] Pacific defence line, carrierborne aircraft of the mighty United States naval task force have for two days battered shore installations aircraft and shipping at Pelew (Palau), gateway to the Philippines, and powerful Japanese base in the western Carolines. » Rubble and Wrecks The pilot of the last flight of bombers over the islands described the target bs "heaps of rubble and wrecks, smoking, burning, and erupting." A column of black smoke, rising 13,000 ft. into the evening sky, marks the town of Koror, the centre of military activity in the islands, which are more than 1000 miles west of Truk, and only 530 miles from Davao, in the Philippines. Great fires are raging on at least three of the islands. The narbour and anchorages are,littered with debris from many sunken ships. The air strip at Peleliu Jsland is pock-marked with bomb craters ®nd its revetments are filled with turned-out planes. Enemy Ships Fled Powerful elements of the Japanese fleet were anchored at Pelew when the task force was sighted by enemy planes on March 28. With a force little inferior numerically, but probably greater in striking Jower than the British Grand Fleet, of 49 ships, which fought at Jutland, the .American admirals in charge of the force were praying that the Japanese fleet would sally forth for battle. Except for several destroyers, which probably were unable to fuel in time, the Japanese fled the night before the planes were in a position to assault Pelew. A Memorable Scene Sweeping on from battered and burning Pelew, the United States task force next day attacked Woleai airstrip, midday between Pelew and Truk. Fighters and bombers from three task groups attacked the island at dawn, destroying a few Japanese planes on the airstrip, and setting fire to hangars end barracks. After the first strike, no targets were left for the remaining planes, and the fore turned homeward.

Yap, north-east of Pelew, had beftUj attacked on the previous day by another American force. Even from the air far above the centre of the United States Fleet as it moved on Pelew, it was impossible to tell how far it extended or how many ships it "contained. In the centre were the battleships, cruisers, carriers and destroyers trailing long, snow-flakes and moving swiftly through the calm blue waters of tho Pacific. Toward the rim of the horizon all appearance of movement was lost. Battleships, hull down, ships of all sizes and descriptions, seemed clustered together motionless. In the first light of dawn and in the glow of the setting sun it was a sight never to be forgotten. LIQUOR FOR MAORIS MAGISTRATE IMPOSES FINES A charge of supplying liquor to natives was admitted by Enid Margaret Findlay tMr. Robinson) before Mr. J. Morling, S.M., yesterday. It was stated on defendant's behalf that she was having a birthday party at her house in Nelson Street and had only invited neighbours for a drink. There were a dozen bottles of beer on the premises. A fine of £3 was imposed. Twenty-one other defendants were charged with aiding and assisting in the offence of supplying liquor to natives. The majority were Maoris, who pleaded guilty to the charge and were fined, the imposts totalling £69. The fines ranged from £2 to £7 for a third offender. The magistrate warned the defendants that future appearances on similar charges would have serious consequences. PRISON FOR THEFT Charged with tho theft of a gladstone bag and contents of a total value of £2, a Maori, Fred Takapuna Murphy, labourer, aged 19, pleaded guilty before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S:M., yesterday. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour. SCHOOL SPORTS The annual athletic sports of St. Cuthbert's College were held yesterday. Championship winners were: —Senior.- I). Baker. 1; E. Alpe, 2; P. Donaldson. 3. Junior: B. Miller and W. Kavp (equal). 1: A. Cole, a. Intermediate: B. Fenton. t; B. Rowan and B. Jeffries (equal), 2; P. Hamilton. 1 Form championships :—l'poer School: TV. A and B. 1; 111. Mod. 2; lit. A, 3. Middle School: T. A2, 1; I. Ai, 2; I. B. 3. Lower School: 111. a, 1; TIL b, 2: IT. a, 3. House championships:— tapper School: Elgin, 1: Dumhlane, 2. Lower School: Elsrin, T: Dumblane, 2. Form relays: —-Upper School:III. Mod.. 1; fourth year, 2; TT. Mod., 3. Middle School: I. A, T; I. Mod., 2: I. B, 3. Lower School: Kindergarten. 1: 2 b. 2: Form 1., 3.