JAP CONVOY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 61, 15 March 1943, Page 5

JAP CONVOY

ATTACKED OFF NORTH NEWjGUINEA SOME DIRECT HITS SCORED (Special Australian Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.J Recd. 7.50 p.m. Sydney. March 14. The Japanese are making further strenuous efforts to strengthen their hold in northern New Guinea. A convoy of three destroyers and five merchantmen headed for VVevvak is under attack by Allied bombers. A direct hit scored on an 8000-ton transport left the vessel in flames, while another direct hit and a near miss damaged a 4000-ton ship. This latest Japanese convoy to venture into northern New Guinea waters was sighted by an Allied reconnaissance plane shortly after noon on Saturday. The enemy ships had fighter protection.

Our first attacks by heavy bombers were made on Saturday evening. No further details of the action are yet available, but to-day's communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters says: "Weather and distance hamper our attacks, which we will endeavour to continue-’’

Wewak, 350 miles north-west of Lae (which was the destination of the illfated Bismarck Sea convoy), is an enemy base assuming increasing importance. During the past two months several attacks have been made on shipping in the harbour there, our aircraft frequently encountering strong fighter opposition. A medium-sized enemy cargo ship was also attacked in Dutch New Guinea waters with unobserved results.

North of Australia on Friday a formation of Liberators fought their way through a heavy storm to attack the important naval base of Ambon, on Amboina Island. A 7000-ton ship tied at the main wharf received a direct hit with a 5001 b. bomb. Shore installations were also attacked. The Japanese put up a terrific anti-aircraft barrage and then eight Zeros engaged the Liberators in a running fight. Four enemy fighters were shot out of action, two being destroyed for certain.

These air attacks on Japanese shipping, including the strafing of a 300ton lugger at Lautem, Timor, were combined with raids on enemy aerodromes and bases. Early on Friday morning strong formations of Flying Fortresses dropped 500 demolition and fragmentation bombs on the Lakunai aerodrome at Rabaul. Clouds and an intense searchlight and anti-aircraft barrage prevented accurate observation, but fires and explosions were seen.

Wide Bay and Gasmata were other objectives raided in New Britain. In an attack on the Fuiloro aerodrome, in Timor, Dutch-manned Mitchell medium bombers and R.A.A.F. Beaufighters heavily damaged enemy aircraft on the ground. Two Japanese fighters which intercepted were shot out of action. The success of our strafing sweeps around Mubo is indicated by an announcement from General MacArthur's headquarters to-day that Australian patrols have counted 237 enemy dead in the Wipaining-Garri-son Hill area, killed as a result of our incessant air offensive. In this area Beaufighters on Saturday strafed the trail from Salamaua to Komiatum.

The only Japanese offensive activity reported during the past 48 hours was an ineffectual attack by a lone bomber on Allied positions at Dododura, Papua. A message from Washington says that President Roosevelt plans to confer with the Commander-In-Chief of the Allied air forces in the South-west Pacific, LieutenantGeneral Kenny, during the next few days. The President declared that planes under Lieut.-General Kenney’s command had done a grand job in the Bismarck Sea action.