SIXTEEN JAP. BOMBERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 54, 5 March 1942, Page 5

SIXTEEN JAP. BOMBERS

DOWNED BY U.S. WARSHIPS AND AIRCRAFT ACTION OFF GILBERT ISLANDS. (Rec. 7.35 p.m.) Washington, March 3. A Navy Department communique announced that United States warships and aircraft shot down 16 Japanese bombers m the course of recent operations west of the Gilbert Islands, losing only two of their own aircraft. A small force of the Pacific Fleet, consisting oi an aircraft-carrier, cruisers and destroyers, was attacked in two waves by 18 bombers operating in two groups of nine each. Despite the severity of the Japanese attacks the United States vvarships were undamaged. One American fighter pilot shot down six bombers single-handed. The attacks occurred late in the afternoon and were timed half an hour apart. The Japanese formation was closely and vigorously engaged by our carrier’s lighter planes and also l. anti-aircralt lire irom the ships of the force. Only three enemy planes o the first formation reacned their bombing release point over the air-craft-carrier, which avoided all bomb hits by split-second manoeuvring. The leading bomber of this group attempted a crash landing on the carrier's deck when it reached bomb release point. In this instance the salvo of bombs was closer to the carrier than in the first attack, but again no hits were obtained. There was no damage to our surface forces. Two of our fighters were lost, but one pilot was recovered.