THE ARAFURA SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25213, 30 April 1943, Page 3

THE ARAFURA SEA

TWO SHIPS SEVERELY DAMAGED (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Apl. 29. Two cargo ships in the Arafura Sea have been severely damaged by Allied bombing attacks. The ships were 90 miles north of Dobo on Wednesday when bombers attacked at mast height. To-day’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters says: “A direct hit and a close miss with 5001 b bombs were scored on the stern of a 2000-ton vessel and two near misses on one of 1200 tons. Both ships were machine-gunned, and were left stationary in the water. A fire broke out on the deck of the smaller. “ Seven Zeros attacked an Allied heavy bomber on reconnaissance over Wide Bay (New Britain).'. They were driven off. Our bomber completed its mission. Other offensive reconnaissance raids were made on Wednesday on Dyaul Island (New Ireland) and on the Saidor and Finschhafen areas (Northern New Guinea)." The sole Japanese offensive effort reported in the communique was a night attack by a single plane on Morobe Harbour, the most westerly point occupied by the Allies on the North New Guinea coast. Four bombs were dropped, but these caused neither damage nor casualties.