DEFENCE OF RABAUL
" SCORCHED EARTH " TACTICS
(Rec. 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 29. Speaking of the Japanese attack on Rabaul Australian Air Force men who have arrived back here said that " scorched earth" tactics were fully employed before the Japanese landed in New Britain. Aerodromes, buildings, and petrol dumps were destroyed. "We knew it would be impossible to hold out, therefore extensive demolition was resorted to," said the men, who expressed the opinion that the armed forces defending Rabaul would be able to carry on for several weeks, largely by means of guerrilla warfare. The Australian airmen were pitted against a swarm of modern, fast enemy fighters in the main raid, when about 300 bombs of all types were dropped by the enemy. While taking refuge on the ground the airmen crouched in slit trenches, which afforded most effective protection.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 5
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139DEFENCE OF RABAUL Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 5
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