VENTURAS SCORE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24971, 14 August 1944, Page 2

VENTURAS SCORE

BOUGAINVILLE BOMBING NEW ZEALANDERS' SUCCESS (R.N.Z.A.F. Official War Correspondent) BOUGAINVILLE, Aug. 10 Surprising a concentration of 200 Japanese naval personnel in a dawn attack on Monoitu, which is the centre of eneay resistatyie on Bougainville. Venturas flown bv-No. 9 Squadron, R.N.Z.A.F., plastered their target with a deadly shower of bombs and machine-gun fire. The enomy was quite unprepared for the attack, and in the confusion did not bring its anti-aircraft r batteries into action until the New landers were on the way home, forming a circle over the target, tho New Zealanders swept down singly to tree-top height and roared across the encampment, unleashing showers ot bombs. They went in with forward guns blazing, keeping up a scorching fire of tracer and load. Results still have to he confirmed, but it is believed the enemy suflereii heavy casualties. A mile or so from the naval encampment the New Zealanders spotted a concentration of Japanese artillery, including field guns and mountain howitzers. These were also heavily bombed, and the encampment was bombed for a second time after the .squadron returned home and bombed-up again. _ Another successful exploit by V enturas was the demolition of Morone villaga, which had been occupied bv the Japanese. Many Japanese were killed by bombs and machine-gun fire. The complete success of the mission, which was accomplished without loss, brought a special message of commendation from the American commander in the Northern Solomons, Ma.jorGeneral R. J. Mitchell. New Zealand Venturas have also taken a prominent part in the combined naval and air bombardment of a strongly-held Japanese post, near the mouth of the Jaba River. Alter a preliminary naval bombardment of the post. the Venturas plastered the enomv with a further dose of high explosives. Two New Zealand aireralt were damaged, but all returned to base.