RABAUL BOMBED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 15 October 1942, Page 5

RABAUL BOMBED

HEAVY ATTACK BY FLYING FORTRESSES LARGE FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS Sydney, Oct. 14. Rabaul, an important Japanese base for operations both in the Solomons i and New Guinea, has again been neavily attacked by Flying Fortresses | of General MacArthur’s Command. Many tons of bombs, including 1000pounders. were dropped during the latest night attack on two aerodromes there, causing large fires and explosions. These attacks were officially described earlier as “designed to hamper operations by the enemy air force in the vital Solomons war theatre.” Direct hits were observed in the midst of parked aircraft and considerable damage is believed to have been caused. Other Allied planes bombed installa-

lions in Rabaul town, which was severely battered in three raids last week. There was no enemy interception and all our planes returned safely. —P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.

ADMIRAL NIMITZ CONFIDENT

FLYING VISIT TO ALLIED BASES HIGH MORALE AND FINE SPIRIT OF FORCES New York, Oct. 14. Reporting on his recent flying visit to Guadalcanar and other Allied basos in the South Pacific, Admiral Nimitz, C.-in-C. of the Pacific Fleet, at a Press conference at Pearl Harbour, expressed the utmost confidence that United States forces in the Solomons would consolidate their holdings and continue the Pacific offensive begun there. “I don’t mean we have the Japanese on the run or have the upper hand, but I have always been optimistic as to the eventual result of the war. After actually seeing the people on the spot and talking to them I have reason to continue to be optimistic. Everywhere I have found high morale, a fine spirit and co-operation. They are all working in high spirits from early in the morning to late at night to improve their positions. I am satisfied in every way with what I saw. The Japanese now realise that in the opposing American forces in that area, principally marines, they are meeting people as tough as they are themselves. We are just as well equipped and well trained in jungle fighting as the Japanese. They are brave, resourceful and experienced fighters, but now they are meeting people with the same characteristics and are suffering losses accordingly.” Admiral Nimitz declared that the continued sinkings of Japanese cargo ships were obviously affecting their Pacific supply problem and pointed out that it was just as far from Tokio to Guadalcanar as from Pearl Harbour to Guadalcanar. It would be over-opti-mistic to say Japanese shipping has been strained, but they were losing lots of ships. United States submarines were doing their duty day and night. —P.A.