AIR REVERSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25306, 17 August 1943, Page 3

AIR REVERSES

HEAVY JAPANESE LOSSES 48 PLANES ON SUNDAY (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 18. Allied fighters yesterday destroyed 48 Japanese machines in the Solomons-New Guinea area. We lost five. Thirty-four of the enemy planes were shot down over the Solomons by airmen of the South Pacific Command. General MacArthur’s communique to-day also reports that the merciless aerial bombardment of Salamaua (New Guinea) continues. In the latest attack 99 tons of bombs were dropped on the Komiatum sector. This brought the total tonnage of bombs rained on the Salamaua area during the past four days to 590, and the total tonnage during August is now 850. Salamaua is the objective of the present Allied land offensive in New Guinea. The combined air and ground operations are reported to be proceeding according to plan. Yesterday’s air attack was made in adverse weather by Liberators and Flying Fortresses and full results could not be observed because of rain squalls. Enemy Formations Intercepted The Japanese planes destroyed over the Solomons yesterday comprised 22 fighters and 12 dive-bombers. They fell in a series of* Allied air interceptions in the 100-mile area from Vella Lavella Island to the Kahili aerodrome, on Bougainville Island. Only two Allied fighters were lost along this front. Seven of the enemy planes crashed near the Kahili aerodrome when ’ a Japanese formation returning to its base was broken up and dispersed. Grounded aircraft were heavily strafed. Complete details of the damage inflicted have not yet been received at General MacArthur s headauarters. The Japanese Air Force suffered it« second major reverse of the day wnen Airacobras intercepted 12 enemy bombers supported by a top cover of 25 Zeros south-west of Lae. Although outnumbered, our fighters attacked, shooting down 11 of the bombers and three Zeros. Three Airacobras were lost. Other Japanese losses reported in General MacArthuris latest communique include 19 barges engaged in running supplies to New Guinea from New Britain. Liberators and Fortresses made wide sweeps along the southern and north-western coasts of New Britain in search of these targets. Fighting on New Georgia Only sparse reports have been received of the land fighting on New Georgia Island. Two days ago it was reported that Japanese resistance near Zieta, a village four and a-half miles from the enemy strongpoint at Bairok'o Harbour, had been overcome by American troops driving north from Munda. To-day’s communique says our forces are closing in on Zieta from the north and south.

Two ineffectual enemy air raids on Allied bases are reported. Three planes attacked Wau (New Guinea) and one was over Woodlark Island on Saturday night.