DAMAGING BLOWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 April 1942, Page 3

DAMAGING BLOWS

STRUCK BY ALLIED AIRCRAFT POWERFUL RAID ON RABAUL. DIRECT HITS ON LARGE VESSELS. LONDON, April 6. Allied air forces yesterday made one of the heaviest raids to date in the New Guinea area, when shipping in Rabaul (New Britain) was attacked. Direct hits were made on large enemy vessels and ether ships were damaged by near misses. The aerodrome was also attacked and aircraft on the ground were destroyed. Gasmata, on the south coast of New Britain, where the Japanese have a fighter aerodrome was also attacked. Some damage was caused. In a Japanese raid on Port Moresby several hits were scored by air fighters, but it is not yet known whether serious damage was done. The bombers were driven off from their targets. One Australian plane is missing and a fighter was forced down but the pilot was saved.

NO CHANGE IN BURMA DIFFICULTIES OF DEFENDING FORCES. BOMB DAMAGE IN MANDALAY. There is no change in the position on the Irrawaddy front, in Burma. Between Irrawaddy and Sittang enemy forces are in an area north of Prome and 100 miles from the oilfields. It is stated in London that our forces in Burma are still intact, though they are fighting under serious difficulties. The Japanese raid on Mandalay last Friday was one of the worst experienced in the Far East. The city was heavily attacked for three hours and much damage was done in the business centre.