SUCCESSFUL ATTACK CONTINUED BY AUSTRALIAN PLANES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1942, Page 3

SUCCESSFUL ATTACK

CONTINUED BY AUSTRALIAN PLANES

On Japanese Island Bases HEAVY FIGHTING IN BURMA SOUTH OF PROME AND IN TOUNGOO AREA PATROL CLASHES AND AIR BOMBARDMENT IN PHILIPPINES LONDON, March 31. Australian aircraft have made further attacks on Japanese bases. Six enemy planes are reported probably to have been destroyed on the ground in an attack on Koepang, in Netherlands Timor. At Lae, in New Guinea, Australian planes, flying five miles high, scored hits on hangars and runways and fires broke out. Darwin aerodrome has been attacked again by Japanese > bombers. So far no damage or casualties have been reported. From Burma there is news of heavy fighting south of Prome, on the Irrawaddy front. A battle is raging ten miles south of Prome against a force of Japanese and traitor Burmese. Our forces have launched an attack to open up the Prome Road, 10 miles south of Prome. The Japanese have managed to maintain road blocks in spite of heavy casualties inflicted by Indian forces. Our operations are being hampered by lack of air reconnaissance and the support the local population is giving to the enemy., Chinese reinforcements have reached a point 10 miles north of Toungoo and made contact with the forces holding the eastern section of that town. A savage battle is in progress. The situation on this front is still confused. In the Philippines there have been only patrol clashes on the Batan front, but the Japanese continue their air bombardment of General Wainwright’s front areas and rear positions.