SABANG WRECKED

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

SABANG WRECKED

RESULT OF RECENT ALLIED RAID Reed. 6 p.m. Rugby, April 22. Th e important Japanese air and naval base at the north-western tip of Sumatra is a blazing wreck, following the Allies attack on Wednesday, say messages received in London to-day. “A great performance,” was how Admiral Sir James Somerville, who commanded the attack, described it. An agency correspondent with the fleet cables: “Sabang has been smashed by British Barracudas and United States Dauntless and Avenger planes. It was a real Allied force, that made out from Ceylon—British, American, French and Dutch ships. Wo sailed in secret. “It was not. until after two days that we were told: ‘The target for our aircraft to-morrow will be Sabang, in Sumatra. So far we do not appear to have been spotted, and. as the Japanese have regular habits, we hope to catch them with their kimonos up.' “Overheads Catalina flying-boats, during night and day, give us protection. In lhe ships, pilots and crews, Iron) Britain, Canada and New Zealand, were waiting lor the zero hour. As the time of take-off approached, the whole carrier fleet turned into wind. One alter lhe other the planes took off into the lurid, tropical sunshine. Within the next, hour all the British aircraft had returned undamaged, except a Barracuda, whose nilot. came hack with a piece of shrapnel under the seat.”