JAVA SEA BATTLE AVENGED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 31, 20 March 1942, Page 4

JAVA SEA BATTLE AVENGED

T'WENTY-THREE ships, including fifteen vessels of war, sunk or damaged in a great sea and air battle off the New Guinea coast, against the loss of a single Allied plane. Yesterday's announcement sent a thrill of pride throug out the Allied nations as the news of the Japanese disaster of the first magnitude was broadcast throughout the millions of listening homes in. Australasia, America, Great Britain and even the nations held in slaveiy by the forces Naziism. This great Allied victory, the details of which have yet to be released, will probably throw the Japanese plans severely out of gear. The convoy attacked was a large one, apparently well protected by naval escort vessels, and also with considerable air forces as well. Cruising down the coast of the New Guinea mainland, it encountered a strong battle fleet of American and Australian bombers and fighters, rallied from the northern aerodromes of Darwin, Broome and the coast defence points. The targets were apparently as good as they were in the recent Straits of Malacca raidwhere Japan suffered so grieviously before. The enemy air protection was speedily overcome and the task of destruction of the helpless convoy (possibly portion of the mustering Australian invasion fleet) was carried out with relentless thoroughness. The loss of three heavy cruisers and severe damage to others, is in itself a staggering blow apart from other losses, and will make the Japanese Admiralty respect the fighting ability of the gathering forces now stationed in Australia. Flying Fortresses, the latest American contribution to Australia's defence played a leading part in the bombing and were probably responsible for the major number of sinkings, by dint of their heavier bombload. Whatever the reason the peoples of both Australia and New Zealand will have every reason to feel that the date of possible Japanese action against their shores has by reason to this latest smashing blow been postponed till a future date.