R.A.A.F. BOMBS BOELA

Southland Times, Issue 24869, 8 October 1942, Page 5

R.A.A.F. BOMBS BOELA

Former Dutch Oil-Field (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 7. After 11 days of purely reconnaissance activity Australian Hudson bombers made a daylight raid on Boela, a former Dutch oil-field on the northeastern coast of Ceram, in the Moluccas, west of Dutch New Guinea. Boela is mentioned for the first time in today s communique from General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters. The oil tanks, destroyed by toe Dutch after Japan entered toe war, but presumably now repaired by toe enemy, were toe target. Near misses were scored at a low level and it is believed that certain tanks were damaged. AUSTRALIA’S POWER Aid From U.S. And Britain SYDNEY, October 7. “Everything is subordinated to toe job of holding back toe invader from our sacred shores,” said the AttorneyGeneral. Dr H. V. Evatt, in a speech tonight in which he reviewed toe Labour Government’s achievements of toe last twelve months. He said that from the first the Curtin Government had concentrated especially on organizing the country’s resources on the Pacific battle-front. and Mr Curtin had insisted that geographical and strategic considerations demanded that the United States should take over toe primary responsibility for toe whole of the Pacific theatre of war. “There is nothing anti-British in that,” said 'Dr Evatt. “Rather it was a realistic approach to the war and it has proved of incalculable value both to Britain and Australia. Above all Australia’s relationship with Britain has never been more friendly and nevermore intimate than it is today. “The improvement in supplies during the year has been very great indeed. The number of tanks successfully brought to Australia has been multiplied a hundredfold since February, when the outlook for Australia was very black. A similar improvement marks the position in regard to modem fighter aeroplanes. The fact is that toe equipment obtained by Australia from toe United States and Britain has, when added to Australia’s own production, helped to save Australia from a Japanese invasion. “The Government believes that, although far more attention is now being paid to the Pacific fronts than seemed possible six months ago, there is still a tendency in powerful quarters abroad to regard the Pacific as a side-show. Fortunately President Roosevelt and the United States naval' advisers have always assessed the Pacific theatre as of considerable importance. We owe much to toe United States Navy, whose recovery after Pearl Harbour has been miraculous.” WAR DECORATION FOR U.S. CORRESPONDENT Return From New Guinea Jungle (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 27. Vem Haugland, the Associated Press of America war correspondent has been awarded toe United States Silver Star. General Douglas MacArthur, supreme commander in toe South-West Pacific, made toe presentation. Mr Haugland is in hospital somewhere in New Guinea. “I cannot tell you how we have been inspired by your getting back,” he told the young correspondent. Mr' Haugland is toe first war correspondent to be decorated in toe Pacific war. He was lost for six weeks in toe New Guinea jungle after baling out of a bomber early in August. The citation says: “He struggled through nearly impenetrable jungle and mountain country until he reached an inhabited region near toe coast. His courage and perseverance enabled him to conquer tremendous difficulties and to rejoin toe United States Army forces.” AMERICAN ADMIRAL’S PROMOTION WASHINGTON, October 6. President Roosevelt nominated RearAdmiral J. H. Towers as Vice-Admiral after his appointment as air commander of the Pacific Fleet,