ALLIED AIR SUCCESSES

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15236, 29 December 1942, Page 3

ALLIED AIR SUCCESSES

SPECTACULAR GAINS IN PACIFIC ENEMY SHIPS SUNK. MANY ZERO FIGHTERS SHOT DOWN. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright. SYDNEY, December 28. Spectacular new Allied air successes have been won in the South-west Pacific battle zone. The week-end score of Japanese aircraft destroyed was at least 31 and probably 34, Four more enemy ships have been wrecked at Rabaui. In furious air battles over New Guinea on Sunday 19 enemy aircraft were shot down. Lockheed-Lightnings won a sig nal success when they dived on a formation of 27 Zeros and 15 divebombers over Buna. Thirteen of the Zeroo and two of the divebombers were destroyed. The remainder of the enemy force turned tail and fled. In use for the first time in the Aevv Guinea battle zone, the Lightnings made a sensational combat debut. Only 12 of them were in the right, but despite heavy odds, none oi the new Allied fighters was lust. One received slight damage. Tile Lightnings have groat speed and fire power and their pilots have been "spoiling” for a clash with Japanese fighters for some time. The outcome of the Buna air battle is being hailed with delight. Allied antiaircraft fire destroyed o ne Zero over Buna while three more were shot down when they attacked Hudsons engaged on transport work. Patrolling Kittyhawks entered the fight and drove off the attackers. One Hudson loaded with A.I.F. wounded was damaged and the pilot made a forced landing in th e sea. Two of the wounded were killed