JAPANESE CONVOY BATTERED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 7, 4 October 1943, Page 5

JAPANESE CONVOY BATTERED

Effort To Run Allied

Blockade (Received October 3, 7.50 p.m.)

SYDNEY, October 3. American Liberator bombers sank three Japanese ships, including a destroyer, in the attack on a convoy in Bougainville Strait in the Central Solomons on Thursday night. A fourth large ship received two direct hits on the stern. The convoy of 11 ships was attempting to run Admiral Halsey’s blockade.

General MacArthur’s communique, reporting the attack, says one ship was destroyed by an explosion followed by fires visible for 20 miles. Another ship when hit capsized and sank. The destroyer exploded after four direct hits. A South Pacific war correspondent reports it was the first attempt by the Japanese for more than two months to sneak anything larger than u barge through Admiral Halsey’s blockade. The convoy, comprising destroyers and several troop and cargo vessels, was spotted late in the afternoon coming down from Buka Island. The Liberators roared up from the south and at 7.30 p.m. began a series of attacks which lasted for an hour. The moonless tropic darkness made observation of the destruction difficult. In Vella Gulf, Allied naval surface units caught a -force of enemy barges attempting a blockade run between Choiseul and Kolonibangara Islands, sinking nine and severely damaging five others. An escorting enemy plane was shot down. A strong force of Admiral Halsey’s bombers blasted a Japanese barge depot at Kakasa, in Choiseul Island, causing heavy damage and starting fires. Fighters strafed enemy barges off the coast. Off Bougainville Island Allied reconnaissance aircraft intercepted and shot down q Japanese medium bomber.

American ground forces on Vella Lavclln are steadily closing in on the remaining enemy groups at the north end of the island. The enemy are attempting to .use parachutes to deliver supplies. The Americans wiped out 90 Japanese attempting to escape from a surrounded position.

General MacArthur’s bombers in the South-west Pacific area damaged a 2000ton enemy freighter at Kttvieng, New Ireland.