TERRIFIC AIR BLITZ

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1942, Page 4

TERRIFIC AIR BLITZ

AWAITED IN JAVA FOLLOWING ON THE ATTACK ON BALI. ENEMY ESTABLISHED IN SOUTH SUMATRA. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, February 23. The attack on Bali is considered to be a preliminary to a largescale assault on Java, which is separated from Bali by a strait only a mile wide. With the loss of the Den Passar Aerodrome and the Japanese occupation of South Sumatra. Java may expect a terrific aerial blitz within a few days. Already attacks have been intensified. DIRECT HITS SCORED BY FLYING FORTRESSES. ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED ON BALL (Received This Day, 1 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 23. An Army communique states: "Flying fortress bombers attacked the Japanese held at Den Passar, on Bali, scoring several direct hits and destroying, it . is believed, ,six medium bombers on the ground and damaging the runways. The United States planes were not damaged.” Recapitulating the operations of the United States Army and Air Force in the Netherlands East Indies since January 1. the communique stated that at least 9- eiierny vessels had been sunk and 24 damaged and 48 planes destroyed.