AIR BATTLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25173, 13 March 1943, Page 5

AIR BATTLE

NORTH COAST OF PAPUA ENEMY LOSE 14 PLANES (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Mar. 12. Lightning and Kittyhawk fighters shot 14 Japanese planes out of action in a fierce air battle over Oro Bay (on the north coast of Papua, about 20 miles south-east of Buna) yesterday. These enemy planes were part of a force of 40 (24 bombers and 16 fighters) raiding Allied shipping and shore installations. Nine Zeros were destroyed for certain, and three more Zeros and two bombers are claimed as probably destroyed. The Allied losses were light. On Monday a formation of nine Japanese bomoers and 13 fighters sank a small Allied vessel in Oro Bay. Thursday’s raid was the second time this week the enemy have employed a force of more than 20 bombers in the New Guinea area. On Tuesday 26 bombers, escorted by 21 Zeros, raided Wau. Two twin-engined bombers again attacked Wau after sundown on Thursday, but caused neither damage nor casualties. Our Liberator bombers made a raid before dawn on the Lakunai aerodrome, Rabaul, on Thursday, but heavy clouds prevented observation of the results. In the Mubo area, atjput 30 miles from Wau, Havoc attack bombers swept the enemy positions along the VickersGuadagasal ridges. There is no additional news of ground fighting in this locality.