BLAZE AT SALAMAUA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 64, 18 March 1943, Page 5

BLAZE AT SALAMAUA

OIL STORAGE TANKS ABLAZE NO SIGN OF JAPANESE CONVOY (Special Australian Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Reed. 9.30 p.m. Sydney, March 17. The Japanese convoy headed for Dobo, north of Darwin, on Monday afternoon is believed to have been driven off by the sustained attacks of Allied bombers. Hudsons and Bcaufighters went out again on Tuesday to continue the attacks on the three troop-laden ships but could find no trace of them. Their search extended throughout the entire Aru Islands coastline, the Bada Sea area, and along southern New Guinea. As hits were claimed on two ships and near hits on the third it is possible that they later sank, but this is not officially claimed. No debris was seen.

Tuesday’s Allied air attacks on oil storage tanks at Salamaua, in north-east ‘ New Guinea, caused the greatest conflagration ever seen in the South-west Pacific war zone. Gigantic flames shot hundreds of feet into the air when hits were scored on the storage depots, formerly controlled by the Vacuum and Shell Companies. Further details have now been revealed of Monday's unsuccessful largescale enemy air raid on Darwin, when Spitfires went into action for the fourth time since the announcement of their presence in the area. Twentyfive enemy bombers, with their escort off 24 Zeros, came in from the sea at 22,000 feet in three perfect V formations. They employed the pattern bombing system. As they approached the town each V spread out into a straight line, bomb ooors opened, and si) or 60 bombs camp screaming down together. Wlv.e t'.e alert was being sounded R.A.F. and R.A.A.F Spitfires were already in the air. They engaged the Zero escort high above the bombers and quickly had the best of the enemy in thrilling dog-flghts ranging over 20 square miles. When a Japanese bomber was shot down its companion planes In the formation closed in but never wavered. The whole raid was over in 15 minutes, and inspection later showel that damage and casualties were light. Intensified Japanese efforts north of Australia are commanding increasing attention both from America and Britain.

The most sober Australian view remains that the enemy concentrations are intended primarily for defence, but that they could be converted quickly for offence if a favourable opportunity was presented. This view is supported by the Glasgow Herald, which says editorially:— “It is difficult to see what attraction Northern Australia presents for the Japanese. The enemy moves are mure likely a part of their general plan of establishing bolt positions to thwart localised Allied action.’ 1 However, in Washington the deputy chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, Representative Warren Magnason, has warned: “One of the greatest emergencies of the war may be shaping in the South Pacific,’’ He added his voice to growing demands of Congressmen that more planes and other war equipment must be given General MacArthur to meet any threat to North Australia.

“Ot r force in the South-west Pacific is so small that only a military genius like General MacArthur could fight the splendid delaying actions he is conc.ucbng,” declared Mr. Magnason. "A reversal of the grand strategy agreed upon a year ago is not sought. But I do not believe the allocations were ever intended to favour the European sector to the extent now being carried out. Enthusiasm for the big European plans has led to blind spots in the Pacific." The New York Times stresses editoiially that all the Allied victories in th_> Pacific have been defensive, and they have not been followed up by any determined Allied advance. ' The mission of Generals Kenny and Sutherland (General MacArthur s Chief ol Staff, who is accompanying his air commander) is to plead especially for air strength,” adds the paper, “The Arafura Sea area, in which the Japanese are now concentrating, is unsuitable for naval defence General MacArthur is well aware that if the enemy plan to strike from this flank their move must be anticipated and overwhelmed in the air.”