BAD WEATHER FOLLOWS RABAUL RAID

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 245, 16 October 1943, Page 5

BAD WEATHER FOLLOWS RABAUL RAID

HEAVY TOLL TAKEN OF JAP SHIPPING Recd. 9.40 p.m. Sydney, Oct. 15. After Tuesday’s record air attack on Rabaul the weather in that area became unfavourable for flying and has since restricted our air operations. Tuesday’s strike was carried out in bad weather which later became worse. General MacArthur’s communique to-day reveals that, following Sunday’s heavy raid on Kahili aerodrome, Bougainville Island, over 100 Allied planes from the South Pacific Command again struck at Kahili on Monday. A further great amount of damage was done, and 12 Japanese planes attempting interception were shot down. These attacks against Kahili helped to pin down possible air reinforcements for Rabaul. General MacArthur's bombers continue to take heavy toll of enemy shipping. In the Banda Sea on Wednesday Liberators bombed and damaged a medium-sized transport while Catalinas strafed and damaged a small schooner near Sumba Island. At Koepang on Tuesday night Hudsons damaged a 1000-ton ship in the harbour. Off the north-east coast of Timor Catalinas left an 800-ton merchantman smoking after a strafing attack. North of New Britain five enemy cargo ships were attacked by Catalinas on Wednesday. At Matchin Bay, near Buka, off lhe northern tip of Bougainville Island, Mitchells attacked two Japanese cargo ships. Both were hit so badly that it is believed they were left in a sinking condition.