WEWAK BASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 232, 1 October 1943, Page 5

WEWAK BASE

JAP AMMUNITION DEPOT DESTROYED MAIN ENEMY SUPPLY BASE FOR NEW GUINEA (By Telep-raph—Press Association—Copyright, Recd. 10 p.m. Sydney, Sept. 30. The main ammunition storage depot at the Japanese Wewak base, on the north coast of New Guinea, was destroyed on Tuesday in a devastating raid by Liberator bombers. The explosion was the biggest seen by the Air Force in the South-west Pacific. The depot is believed to have been the, principal source of supply for the enemy’s entire operations in New Guinea. The Japanese put up a screen of 40 fighters, eight of which were shot down and three others were probably destroyed. Allied aircraft received damage but all returned to their base. To-day's communique from General MacArthur, giving details of the raid, says: “Our escorted heavy bombers continued the attack to deny the enemy the use of his air bases by dropping 145 tons of explosives on the main supply dumps and installations in the Wewak area. His principal ammunition storage depot, halfway towards the east end of Wewak Peninsula, was destroyed in a terrific explosion which obscured the entire peninsula. The flames were visible sixty miles away. A great fuel dump near Mission Point was destroyed and eight large fires were started in the supply clump areas near Boram. Numerous other blazes dotted Wewak Peninsula.”

In the battle for Fiiischhafeu Australian forces have captured further Japanese positions around Bumi River. Some of our forward elements are between 600 and 700 yards from Finschhafen anchorage. The Allied force advancing on Finschhafen from Lae has reached Mange, a point on the Huon Gulf about 16 miles from Finschhafen. So far they have advanced about 30 miles in a little over a week through some of the most difficult country in New Guinea.

Liberators continued attacks on i enemy communications in the Bogad-1 jim area, south of the Madang basC| on the north-east coast of New Guinea. They dropped 24 tons of 10001 b. bombs on Yaula Road, causing an extensive landslide obstruction in the narrow, winding sector south of Daumoina. Admiral Halsey’s bombers, with strong fighter escorts, heavily attacked Kahili aerodrome and gun positions in the vicinity of Bougainville Island, Central Solomons. Direct hits were scored in the supoly and bivouac areas and on gun positions, and many fires were started. A force of 30 Japanese fighters challenged the raiders and two were shot down for the loss of one Allied fighter. Off Bitka Island, north of Bougainville, an Allied aircraft on reconnaissance shot down two and probably destroyed a third of eight Zeros covering enemy shipping. In Vella Lavella Gulf naval surface units sank three enemy barges attempting to run the blockade at night. OCCUPJEDBY MARINES ANOTHER OF THE ELLICE ISLANDS Recd. 6 p.m. Pearl Harbour, Sept. 29 United States Marines have occupied Nanumea. the northernmost ol the Ellice Islands, without onposition. The Associated Press says that construction of an airfield on Nanumea brings Tarawa, the major Japanese air base in the Gilbert Islands. 450 miles to the north, within striking distance. ' "