COUNTER-ATTACK

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21687, 25 March 1942, Page 4

COUNTER-ATTACK

PHILIPPINE FORCES (Un" n, l Press Assn.—Ele'’. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 25, 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 24 Lieutenant-General Wainwright reports a successful attack by our forces in Mindanao Island on Japanese motor columns near Zamboanca, says a War Department communique. Enemy losses were heavy, while only one of our soldiers was killed. Numerous floating mines have been encountered in Philippine waters indicating that the enemy is sowing mines with a view of disrupting inter-island shipping. Additional details of the raid by Australian and American planes on Lae in New Guinea on March 23 have been received. It was conducted by a composite force consisting of four flying fortresses, nine P4O fighter planes of the American Army and two heavy bombers of the Australian air force. It has been determined that the enemy planes destroyed included three heavy bombers, 10 Zero fighters and two other bombers were damaged. A direct hit was scored on the ammunition dump. Two American machines were presumed lost.