ANOTHER JAP. CRUISER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 67, 20 March 1942, Page 5

ANOTHER JAP. CRUISER

HIT IN RABAUL HARBOUR (Recd. 10.3 u p.m.) Canberra, March 19 A direct hit on the stern of a Japanese heavy cruiser in the Allied air raid on Rabaul yesterday is revealed in a communique issued by the Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, to-day. The communique stated that the raid was carried out in daylight. Bombs were dropped on shipping in Rabaul Harbour with successful results. A direct hit on the Japanese heavy cruiser was followed by a rising column of smoke. Near misses were observed on two other large vessels. Reconnaissance was made over other parts of the New Britain area. Enemy aircraft reconnoitred over the islands near Cape York yesterday afternoon. They continued their survey for about 15 minutes. Apparently the same group of aircraft later attacked shipping in the same vicinity but no damage is reported. Allied aircraft raided Koepang last evening, when fires caused on local aerodromes were seen 50 miles away. Only one Allied machine was lost in yesterday’s operations. DETAILS LACKING EARLY ASSESSMENT OF JAP. LOSSES (Recd. 10.30) Washington, March 18 Details are lacking of the crushing aerial assault on the Japanese invasion fleet off New Guinea, resulting in at least 23 Japanese ships, including twelve warships, either sunk or damaged. American and Australian bombers are given credit for the victory. which cost them only one plane. Early reports of Japanese casualties are:— Warships Believed Sunk: Two heavy cruisers, one light cruiser. Severely Damaged: One cruiser, four destroyers. Vessels Gutted by hue < r Beached. Five transports or large cargo ships. Sunk or Damaged: Many small craft, including a minesweeper, an aircraft tender and two gunboats. The minesweeper and also a gunboat was in flames when the attackers left. Three enemy seaplanes were shot down and considerable damage was done to anti-airci aft batteries and runways. IMMGBILiSING BOATS STEPS IN AUSTRALIA Canberra, March 18. The naval authorities ail over Australia have been empower* 1 by National Security Regulations to order the immobilisation of all types of water craft—ship, boat, yacht, barge, punt, rowing-boat, or any other —which could be used by an invader, even if the on ■ oun e op* nis th* . total destruction. The boats are now being collected and concentrated at selected places in harbours and estuaries along the coast. Commonwealth loan officials announced to-day that the Liberty Loan returns were almost complete, ana showed that there were 240.285 subscribers for a total of £48.083,180. The - 009,000 and aimed at 150,000 subscribers. DUTCH SUBMARINES OPERATING WITH AMERICA Washington, March 18. It is learned from informed Dutch naval quarters here that Netherlands submarines which escaped from Java waters are now operating with American submarines against Japan< se shipping in the South-west Pacific. Naval authorities said that though it was not possible, for reasons of military secrecy, to disclose the number of submarines or the bases from which they are operating, they’ are present in sufficient numbers to harass the Japanese supply lines and help to make things hot for the Japanese. Some Dutch submarines are believed to be operating north of the Philippines. AMERICAN SUBMARINES LOST. r Washington, March 18. The American submarine Shark is overdue in the Western Pacific and is presumed to have been lost. The submarine Sealion was so damaged at Cavite that demolition of it wa n necessary to nrevent the enemy from using it. The old destroyer Stewart was demolished at Sourabaya for a simialr reason. Both demolitions were carried out without rronitini to the personnel.