Heavy Air Raid On Enemy's Rabaul Base

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1942, Page 3

Heavy Air Raid On Enemy's Rabaul Base

Rec. 9.55 p.m. Sydney, Aug. 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 the enemy aerodrome, when runways and buildings were hit and fires started. There was no attempt by enemy night fighters to intercept our planes. A light attack was also made on the enemy aerodrome at Lae, New Guinea. Bombs were dropped in the aircraft dispersal area but the results were not observed. On Friday, for the sixth consecutive day, Allied medium bombers kept up the pounding of Timor. They again struck Maobisse, the target of Thursday's attack. Bombs landed at crossroads and in the building area, where fires were 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 cairn which settled on the South-west Pacific area during the past week is regarded,as having a spurious quality. v 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.