KEY STRONGHOLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25513, 18 April 1944, Page 3

KEY STRONGHOLD

BOMBING OF RABAUL ANOTHER HEAVY POUNDING (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) (Rec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, Apl. 17. The systematic reduction of Rabaul (New Britain) as a key Japanese stronghold was continued during the week-end, when Allied Solomonsbased aircraft pounded the area with a further 100 tons of bombs. Reconnaissance shows that the Japanese have already virtually abandoned Rabaul as an air base. On Vunakanau and Tobera airfields only one serviceable and three damaged planes were seen. During the latest raid a huge explosion in the Rataval supply area was followed by flames rising 300 feet ar.d smoke to 3000 feet. Seven gun positions were silenced and five harbour craft in Keravia Bay were destroyed or damaged. On the North New Guinea coast a record bomb-load of 284 tons blasted Aitape, the main Japanese base between Wewak and Hollandia. The area was left blanketed in smoke from great fires. The heaviest previous raid on Aitape was on March 20, when the bomb-load was 153 tons. Large formations of Liberators, Mitchells, and Bostons made the newest attack. Their crews reported widespread destruction. The village of Pro and the Santa Anna missions were wiped out. Solomons-based Liberators bombed Truk, in the Carolines, at dawn on Friday. They dropped 27 tons of explosives on Eten, Param, and adjacent islands.

A single Liberator damaged a small vessel at Puluwat Island, 200 miles west of Truk, and attacked installations and bivouac areas on Alet Island.