SHIPS AND BARGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25303, 13 August 1943, Page 5

SHIPS AND BARGES

JAPANESE SUPPLY VESSELS SMASHING ALLIED ATTACKS (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) (Rec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 12. The Allied air forces in the Southwest Pacific yesterday made widespread attacks on ships and barges with which the Japanese were attempting to reinforce and supply their garrisons ip the Solomons and _ New Guinea areas. One enemy freighter was sunk and two were damaged, and 18 barge? were destroyed in the day’s operations. Off New Ireland Liberators on reconnaissance attacked a light cruiser, two small cargo vessels, a 1500-ton merchantman, and nine barges. The 1500ton merchantman was sunk, and one of the small cargo vessels was damaged by a near miss. Another damaging near miss was scored on a 2500-ton freighter off Cape St. George, at the southern extremity of New Ireland. The vessel almost capsized and stopped. The 18 supply barges destroyed were in the Vitiaz Strait and along the New Britain and North New Guinea coasts.

Allied Beaufighters made a surprise attack on a Japanese seaplane base at Taberfane (Aru Islands), destroying three small boats and a floatplane on the water. Six other floatplanes intercepted, and one was shot down and two were damaged.