WIDESPREAD AIR ACTIVITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 42, 20 February 1943, Page 5

WIDESPREAD AIR ACTIVITY

JAP AND SHIPPING ATTACKED BY MACARTHUR’S BOMBERS (Special Australian Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.l (Recd. 9 p.m.) Sydney, Feb. 19. Japanese shipping and aerodromes from Timor to Solomons were attacked by General MacArthur’s bombers on Thursday. No large enemy vessels were claimed to have been sunk, but. those attacked included a cruiser in the harbour at Dilli, Timor, a 5000-ton supply ship in Rein Bay, New Britain, and another cargo ship off Cape Orford, New Britain. A 300-ton auxiliary schooner and four launches were sunk or damaged at Alexishafen. New Guinea. Japanese air passivity has been pronounced in recent weeks. The enemy’s offensive activities have been sparse and weak, and their fighter interception much reduced. The strongest fighter opposition renorted for some time in South-west Pacific theatres was encountered by Mitchell medium bombers attacking the cruiser at Dilli. Five Zeros intercepted the raids, and in a running fight lasting for 100 miles across Portugueses Timor 'two enemy fighters were shot down. One Mitchell bomber was lost, but later a raft carrying two men was observed on the water.

Liberators made attacks on the Japanese cargo vessels off Cape Orford and Rein Bay. Near misses with 5001 b. bombs damaged the 5000ton vessel in Rein Bay. Beaufighters sweeping along the northern New Guinea coast fired 20,000 rounds into small slumping at Alexishafen. Our fighter pilots saw Japanese sailors leap overboard from the schooner and launches attacked. The heaviest raid on an enemy aerodrome was a night attack by Catalina flying-boats on the Kahili airfield at Buin, Bougainville Island, now the chief Japanese supply centre in the Northern Solomons. Incendiaries and 5001 b. high explosive bombs destroyed grounded aircraft and sunnly dumps in a two-hour attack. Fires were visible for 50 miles.

Despite intense anti-aircraft opposition all our planes returned.

Liberatotrs attacked aerodromes at Finschhafen and Madang. Northern New Guinea. In the Lae-Waris area Havoc attack planes strafed targets of opportunity along the coast.

Brief reports indicate that Australian patrols were active against the Japanese still retreating towards Mubo from Wau. The latest clashes cost the enemy 40 additional dead.