JAP AIR SUPPLIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 96, 24 April 1944, Page 5

JAP AIR SUPPLIES

HEAVY ALLIED ATTACKS DUTCH AND NORTH-EAST NEW GUINEA (Special Australian Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.l Recd. 7.30 p.m. Sydney, April 23. The heavy pounding of Japanese aerodromes and installations in Northeast and Dutch New Guinea is the latest significant development in the South-west Pacific. About 600 tons of bombs have been dropped on these targets in attacks reported by General MacArthur’s week-end communiques. All the bases are part of the enemy air supply route to this area. This series of raids opened on Thursday when Liberators plastered the aerodromes of Namber and Kamari, on Noemfoor Island, in Geelvink Bay, away to the west of Hollands. Runways were cratered at the two aerodromes, which are situated on the aerial route to Hollandia. The biggest biows were delivered on Friday, when three aerodromes at Wewak were hit with 200 tons of bombs, whil e the Aitape area was the target for a record strike of 260 tons. Reporting the raid on Wewak, General MacArthur's latest communique says:—“Continuing the neutralisation of this air base, our heavy units, in a morning attack on the But, Dagus and Wewak airfields, dropped 200 tons of bombs. A large fire was started and the three runways were rendered unserviceable.” Of the attack on th e Aitape area today’s communique says:—“Our hevay, medium and attack units bombed aria strafed enemy installations in coastal) villages and on offshore islands, dropping over 260 tons of explosives. Fuel dumps were ignited, many buildings destroyed and fires started.”, The large forces employed on these raids encountered no Japanese fighter opposition. Five separate raids were made by Bostons on Bunabun Harbour, between Hansa and Madang, on Thursday. Late naval patrols co-operated with the aerial sweep by shelling targets of opportunity along the coast. At Vanimo 45 tons of bombs were dropped by Mitchells which set bui dings afire in lowlevel strafing runs. Although Hollandia, main Japanese base in New Guinea, was not bombed in this series of powerful attacks, Liberators were over the area. West of lhe base they sank one of three freighters of about 1000 tons. , Rabaul, New Britain, No. 1 target for General MacArthur’s bombers, had no respite. Solomons-based bombers on Friday pounded Lakunai, Vunakanau and Keravat airfields and supply areas at Matupi and Tobol with 100 tons of bombs. Allied fighter patrols over the area set lire to 12 trucks and two small craft. Further to the north Solomons-based air and naval units were active in the New Ireland area. This intensive activity within the South-west Pacific Command area has not prevented General MacArthur’s bombers from making further attacks on the Carolines. On Wednesday Nomoi, 150 miles south-east of Truk, was hit for the fourth successive day. In that time nearly 150 tons of bombs have been droppd on the Satawan airfield. Woleai, between Truk and Palau, was attacked on Wednesday and Thursday, three Japanese planes being destroyed, bringing the enemy losses there for three days to 11 planes destroyed. Off the tip of Dutch New Guinea air patrols attacked four small Japanese freighters, sinking one, damaging another, and forcing the other two aground on the Mapia Islands, where supply dumps ashore were set on fire.