RAID ON DARWIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 63, 17 March 1943, Page 5

RAID ON DARWIN

JAPS LOSE NINETEEN PLANES Recd. 8.10 p.m. Sydney. March 16. General MacArthur's latest communique states: — North-Western Sector. Dutch New Guinea— Kaiman: Our heavy bombers attacked two enemy merchant vessels in Bitsjaroe Bay with unobserved results. Aroe Islands: Three medium-sized enemy transports laden with troops were reported by our reconnaissance approaching Dobo from the north during the day. Formations of our medium bombers and long-range fighters attacked the convoy during the late afternoon, bombing: and strafing from mast-head height. Direct hits were scored on two vessels, causing heavy damage and fires, while near hits were registered around all the ships. Our long-range fighters, raking the decks with cannon and machine-gun fire, caused heavy casualties among troops packed on the deck. One of our planes is missing. Banda Sea: One of our medium units bombed and damaged an enemy coastal schooner.

Darwin: Twenty - five enemy medium bombers, escorted by 24 fighters, raided the town and harbour before noon, causing only slight damage and casualties. Our fighters intercepted and drove off the enemy planes, shooting two bombers and 12 fighters out of action and so seriously damaging an additional three fighters and two bombers that they probably failed to reach their base. Four of our own planes were lost but the pilots of two were saved. North-Eastern Sector.

New Britain.—Gasmat a. One of our medium units made a night raid on the aerodrome. Bombs fell in the target area but results could not be observed. Later in the day one of our heavy units bombed the building area. Cape Gloucester: One of our heavy units strafed the aerodrome from a low altitud#. Another heavy uni|| later bombed the aerodrome installations with unobserved results.

New Guinea.—Wewak: Our heavy units bombed the aerodrome and town of Tring after dusk.

Finschhafen: One of our heavy units bombed the aerodrome.

Mubo: Our long-range fighters executed ten strafing passes over enemy positions during the day and swept lhe coast from the mouth of Waria River to Salamaua. No opposition was encountered. Oro Bay: Fifteen enemy bombers raided the wharf arei at dusk, causing slight damage and no casualties. Our anti-aircraft batteries engage 4! the raiders with unknown results.