NEW GUINEA INVASION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1942, Page 3

NEW GUINEA INVASION

FEDERAL MINISTER GIVES DETAILS ■ AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE IN ACTION. RESOLUTE AND UNTIRING EFFORTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day. Enemy warships and transports appeared off Salamaua, in New 'Guinea, early on Sunday morning and troops were landed, states the Commonwealth Air Minister, Mr A. S. Drakeford. Shortly afterwards there was a similar landing at Lae, where destroyers covering the landing shelled the township and bombs were dropped. The landing at Salamaua was made from longboats, under cover of cruisers and destroyers. The size of the enemy force is reported to be considerable. These landings were preceded by the bombing of Bulolo, soon after noon bn Saturday. The attack there was not on a large scale and there was no damage or casualties. An official communique issued" yesterday stated that R.A.A.F. bombers blasted Japan’s invasion transports and warships in Salamaua harbour in a succession of low-level dives, scoring direct hits. Salamaua was occupied by the enemy at 2 a.m. on Sunday and Lae, the capital of New Guinea, was occupied later. Both landings were on a larger scale than earlier reports indicated. The enemy warships comprised four cruisers and several destroyers. Heavyi rain and low cloud screened the landing in the early morning, preventing the R.A.A.F. getting a proper view of the targets. They returned in the evening and continually pounded the enemy, diving out of the clouds within 500 feet of their objectives. One pilot was in the air for twenty hours. No details are at present available of the damage inflicted, but early reports indicate that direct hits were scored on enemy shipping, despite anti-aircraft fire. The enemy unsuccessfully attempted to intercept our planes, which all returned safely. Salamaua is 45 minutes’ flying distance from Port Moresby, which was bombed again yesterday morning, says a communique. Enemy machines attacked from 24,000 feet, but inflicted no damage and no casualties.