BOMBED BY LIBERATORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25851, 23 May 1945, Page 5

BOMBED BY LIBERATORS

PORT ON KRA ISTHMUS KEY COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE RUGBY, May 21. Describing the attack on Sunday by R.A.F. Liberators on Churr.phon, a key point in the Japanese communications system between Malayan bases and ‘ their forces in Burma and Thailand, a correspondent at Eastern Air Command headquarters says the place was heavily hit and left in flames. Lying at the narrows of Kra Isthmus, and providing the Bangkok-Singapore railway line with a feeder, the port of Chumphon has been used by the Japanese as a short sea route supply base for material going either to Rangoon (before its fall), Moulmein, or Bangkok. Its value was enhanced by the rail link with the western coast of the isthmus. Attacked on several occasions previously by the R.A.F., Chumphon’s importance to the Japanese is such that they have put immediate repairs under way after each assault, and it has retained much of its value. The attack made on Sunday was heavier than any of the others, and was concentrated particularly on railway facilities. The yards were thoroughly cratered with 1001 b bombs, and heavy damage was caused to extensive stretches of the permanent way and sidings, many containing a large number of wagons. FireS and explosions among the sheds and repair workshops punctuated the attack, which lasted almost an hour.

Chumphon is the most important target so far attacked by the R.A.F. in such strength. It involves a return flight of nearly 2500 miles, roughly equal to a non-stop flight from London to Tunis and back.