SMASHING BLOW

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22475, 9 January 1943, Page 5

SMASHING BLOW

JAPANESE CONVOY ATTACKED

14,000 Ton Ship Sunk

N.Z.P.A.—Special Australian Correspondent (Rec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 8. Allied bombers made smashing attacks on a large Japanese convoy carrying reinforcements to Lae in the Huon Gulf area north-east of New Guinea. Already they have sunk two large transports, including one of 14,000 tons heavily laden with troops. A direct hit with a 5001 b bomb has been scored on a third vessel, and at least 18 of a strong protective umbrella of enemy fighters have been shot down. * This Japanese convoy of 10 vessels is the largest ever to enter north New Guinea waters. It comprises two cruisers, four destroyers and four transports. The Allied air attacks are still continuing. So far our plane losses are declared to be comparatively light. A great Allied bomber striking force, comprising Fortresses, Liberators, Catalinas, Marauders and Mitchells, escorted by Lockheed Lightnings, first launched attacks on the convoy when it was sighted south of New Britain on Wednesday afternoon. The reported losses were inflicted up to Thursday, when at least 10 separate attacks had been made on enemy ships. The Japanese sent up a strong Zero escort to protect the convoy. At various times 54 of their fighters were in the air, the largest formation encountered being 14. Apart from the 18 Zeros shot down, five more were probably destroyed and four others damaged. When first attacked the convoy dispersed, but did not deviate from its course. No official estimate has been released of the number of Japanese troops carried, but it is believed that at least 1600 were drowned when the 14,000-ton transport was sunk will all hands. There is little doubt that the convoy came from Rabaul, where the Japanese have massed the . greatest shipping strength ever seen in the South-west Pacific. The tonnage there is considerably greater than that which heralded the big October attacks on Guadalcanal, or the earlier concentration preceding the Coral Sea Battle. No new air attacks are reported against Japanese shipping remaining in Rabaul Harbour. While the main Allied air offensive has been directed against the convoy now off Lae, the aerodrome at Lae has also been under attack from our heavy and medium bombers, with fighter escort. Catalinas raided Gasmata aerodrome early on Thursday morning and started four fires in the aircraft dispersal area.