RABAUL ATTACKED

Evening Star, Issue 24281, 24 August 1942, Page 4

RABAUL ATTACKED

HEAVY RAID OH JAP. BASES TIMOR POUNDED AGAIN SYDNEY, August 23. After a lull of several days, Allied heavy bombers on Saturday made a heavy raid on the main Japanese southward base of Rabaul. Eight tons of bombs were dropped in a night attack on an enemy aerodrome, when runways ami buildings were hit and lires started. There was no attempt by enemy night lighters to intercept our pianos. A night attack was also made on an enemy aerodrome at Lae, _ New Guinea. ' Bombs were dropped in an aircraft dispersal area, but the results were not observed. On Friday, for the sixth consecutive day, Allied medium bombers kept mp the pounding of Timor. They again struck Maobisse, the target for Thursday’s attack. Bombs landed at a crossroads, and in the building area, where fires wore .started. Three Zero fighters intercepted our formation, one being shot down over the sea in a running fight. The Allies also lost one plane. The comparative calm which has settled over the South-west Pacific area during the past week is regarded as having a spurious quality. There is no further news of the Papua land fighting in the Kokoda sector, but it has been announced that Australian militiamen distinguished themselves in clashes with Japanese patrols.