SINKINGS IN SOLOMONS

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

SINKINGS IN SOLOMONS

AMERICAN SUCCESSES CONFIRMED BY NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN (Official News Release) GUADALCANAR. (Rec. 8.30 P.m.) Aug. 12. New Zealand air crews had a grandstand view of recent sinkings by United States bombers of Japanese shipping in the Solomons area. Both bomber and fighter pilots witnessed the last dives of Japanese vessels, and while all the recent sinkings have been the work of United States pilots. Dominion fighters provided a close escort for one group of Liberators that attacked a convoy. The end of a Japanese warship, believed to be a cruiser, was witnessed by the crew of a New Zealand Hudson recently. American 8.25’5. fast bombers which are capable of hitting hard, had caught up with the enemy and battered the ship with bombs. The New Zealanders, in the course of routine patrol, saw part of the action from a distance and supported the American claim of actual sinking. They saw the ship disappear and her stern projecting from the water as she slipped under the sea. New Zealand Warhawks in the Guadalcanar area escorted . Liberators which were part of a bombing force that intercepted a Japanese ship of about 9000 tons and escorted by destroyers off Bougainville recently. No enemv fighters interfered, and the New Zealanders were able to watch the accurate pattern bombing. Their mission took them out of the area before dive-bombers and torpedo-bombers appeared to finish off the main target. The ship was believed to be a seaplane tender and was possibly carrying both aircraft and troops.