AIR ACTIVITY IN PACIFIC AREAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 March 1942, Page 3

AIR ACTIVITY IN PACIFIC AREAS

Japanese Aircraft Losses in Burma and Philippines ANOTHER RAID ON PORT MORESBY CHINESE LAND FORCES FIGHTING GALLANTLY LONDON, March 24. In the Pacific, the Japanese are launching heavy air attacks in the Philippines, New Guinea and Burma. Port Moresby was raided again this morning by a strong enemy force, but there are no reports of casualties or damage. Altogether about 30 tons of bombs were dropped. The terrific anti-aircraft barrage repeatedly broke up the Japanese formations when the planes were preparing for a run over the target. The barrage kept the planes to 20,000 feet above their objectives. Three Japanese planes were destroyed when a strong force of enemy bombers attacked Corregidor fortress, in Manila Bay. In Burma, British positions half-way between Rangoon and Mandalay were attacked by a large force of enemy bombers escorted by fighters. Some damage was done but there were few casualties. Two enemy bombers and one fighter were shot down. We lost two fighters, but the pilots are safe. Aircraft of the American Volunteer Group in Burma raided a Japanese-occupied aerodrome at Chengmai. Nearly fifty enemy planes were surprised on the ground. The American airmen left behind seven to ten of the enemy planes completely wrecked and many others badly Seven fires broke out on the aerodrome. Lampun aerodrome, ten miles south-east of Chengmai, was also raided, but reports of the results of this raid have not yet come in. Chinese troops in the Toungoo area have repulsed Japanese attacks. In the opening stages of the battle in this area the enemy attacked both flanks of the Chinese line. The first Japanese attack was repulsed, but enemy reinforcements were brought up and the Chinese were driven from their positions. A Chinese counter-attack forced the Japanese back and the Chinese now stand on their original ground. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. The Chinese destroyed two enemy tanks, two cars and seven lorries. Siamese troops and Burmese traitors fought with the Japanese in this battle. The Japanese Domei News Agency admits that Allied forces are still holding out in Northern Sumatra.