SEVERE BLOW

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22460, 22 September 1944, Page 4

SEVERE BLOW

ATTACK ON SUMATRA CARRIER FORCE’S RAID

(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright.

KANDY, Sept. 21

As part of the offensive policy steadily being directed against the Japanese-held Dutch East Indies, a small but fast and powerful carrier force has just delivered another blow in northern Sumatra and is now speeding back to its base, reports an Associated Press correspondent at sea off Sumatra.

Barracuda torpedo-bombers, escorted by a fleet of Corsair fighters, thoroughly pasted the railway repair depot at Sigli, near Sumatra’s northern tip, and left three-quarters of it in ruins. Raids aimed at softening-up Sumatra in preparation for more vital operations are becoming more frequent and each has disclosed the inability of the Japanese to hit back effectively. For this latest enterprise the force steamed within sight of the Sumatra coast before launching its aircraft, and allhough it turned and hauled off rapidly, leaving the pilots to pursue to sea when the mission was finished our momentary nearness to the coast provided the Japanese v/ith an opportunity he significantly failed to accept.

The only breathless moment of the whole enterprise was when the planes were landing on the carriers after the operation. A black rain squall almost blotted out the carriers. Dozens of planes, having broken formation, were flying round like excited teal upset by shooters’ guns, but all landed safely.

The outstanding conclusion to be drawn is that the raid

strengthened the suspicion that Sumatra can be had for the tak-