NAVAL ACTIVITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24910, 8 May 1942, Page 5

NAVAL ACTIVITY

ENEMY AT RABAUL INCREASE REPORTED (N.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent) (Rec. 0.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 7. Naval activity around the enemy’s main southward base of Kabaul, in New Britain, is increasing, This warning was issued in a High Command communique from General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters. The communique adds: “ Enemy naval units at Bougainville, in the Solomons, are reported to have been successfully attacked by Allied bombers.”

The news of increased enemy naval activity in the South-west Pacific area coincides with the reports of diminished Japanese air efforts over New Guinea, although a great air battle has been raging for the oast 10 days. -The losses inflicted on the enemy are reported to have been severe. Port Moresby was earlier attacked by enemy planes several times every day, but these attacks have . now become sporadic. It is reported officially that the Japanese are now using the Mitsubishi S. 39 tyoe of fighter; an obsolete 1939 model. This may indicate a temporary shortage of crack Zero fighters. The first series of heavy enemy raids on Port Moresbv was. however, also followed by a 1n.11,. which was merely a prelude to still heavier enemy raids.