AIR SUPREMACY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 February 1942, Page 3

AIR SUPREMACY

NOT OBTAINED BY ENEMY IN INDIES & OTHER ISLANDS. AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENTS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, February 24. This morning’s messages from the Pacific make it clear, that neither in the Dutch East Indies nor in the islands north of Australia have the Japanese obtained supremacy in the air, which they set out to achieve before occupying the aerodrome in Bali, which is now being pounded by the Allied air forces. It is stated in Washington that since the beginning of the year, the United States air force has shot down or destroyed on the ground 48 enemy planes in the Dutch East Indies. In addition they have sunk nine enemy ships and damaged 24. The damaged ships include a battleship, 12 cruisers, two destroyers and an aircraft carrier. This is in addition to eight transports sunk and eight more damaged. In spite of these successes, the threat to Java from the island bases the enemy has occupied remains. RAIDS ON JAVA DUTCH OFFICIAL REPORT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) . RUGBY, February 24. The Headquarters of the Netherlands East Indies Force in Batavia states: “During a raid on an aerodrome near Malang, one Japanese bomber was most probably shot down. Enemy aii* activity has been restricted to reconnaissance over aerodromes in the outer provinces and raids on airfields in Java, where some damage was done. During a short bombing attack on military objectives near Bandoeng this morning, very slight damage was done. Some dwellings were hit. The town was machine-gunned and a few civilians were wounded. Anti-aircraft artillery shot down at least one Japanese bomber and damaged others.” INVASION OF TIMOR POSITION RATHER VAGUELY DEFINED. JAPANESE REINFORCED IN BURMA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, February 24. According to news reaching London, the Japanese have occupied part of Timor, though in what numbers is unknown. They landed near Koepang, in the extreme south, though it is possible that landings have also occurred at other points on the island. It is evident, state authoritative quarters in London, that the Japanese have been reinforced recently in Burma. Communications between Rangoon and the front remain intact.