MASS ATTACKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25660, 7 October 1944, Page 7

MASS ATTACKS

BOMBING OF BALIKPAPAN INTENSE FIGHTER OPPOSITION (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) (Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 6. Allied heavy bombers operating at long-range on Wednesday made a destructive mass attack on Balikpapan, Japan’s main oil fuel storage centre in the Pacific. The fought a battle lasting an hour with 40 Japanese fighters, destroying 19 of them. Seven bombers were lost. This was the second mass bombing attack on Balikpapan, which is described by General MacArthur as the most lucrative strategic target in the Pacific. The first big raid was made cn Saturday by 60 Liberators, which were opposed by 30 enemy fighters, of which 20 were destroyed or damaged. This intense fighter opposition at a time when other enemy bases are being left undefended indicates the high importance which the Japanese attach to Balikpapan, their most important source of high octane aviation fuel. About 20 per cent, of the enemy’s total supply comes from this centre. In the latest raid Balikpapan was hit with 40 tons of bombs, great destruction being caused at Pandansari and Edeleanu refineries among storage tanks; and in personnel areas. Huge fires and explosions respited, with smoke rising 8000 feet.' General' MacArthur’s bombers have also kept up their relentless attacks on Japanese shipping between New Guinea and the Philippines. They destroyed a 2000-ton freighter, left a 1000ton freighter in flames, and severely damaged another vessel.