DARWIN AIR BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 April 1942, Page 3

DARWIN AIR BATTLE

BIGGEST YET FOUGHT OVER AUSTRALIAN TERRITORY ENEMY LOSSES & FAILURE. PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE OF QUEENSLAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, April 27. Darwin troops are elated at the splendid Allied air victory on Saturday when eight of 24 Japanese bombers and three of nine Zero fighters were shot down. The “Sun’s” Darwin correspondent says that this air battle, in which the Allied losses were negligible, was the biggest yet fought over Australian territory.

The bombers came over in formations of seven, eight and nine. The fierceness of the Allied fighters’ attack and the accuracy of the antiaircraft guns were reflected in the fact that the enemy bombing was again wild. No bombs or bullets fell in Darwin. Most fell in the bush some miles away.

It so happened that Allied fighter formations were taking the air in various directions when the alarm sounded. Troops were on the road and the whole area was busy, but, in accordance with recent orders, all personnel either' stood fast or carried on without regard to the raid, except where the prospect of danger was imminent.

The bombs varied in size from “daisy-cutters” to 5001 b. ones. Many were dropped simultaneously, after which the Japanese aircraft hurriedly streaked away to sea, with our fighters in close pursuit; flying so high that the people were scarcely able to see them, but heavy machine-gun fire indicated that dog fights were in progress.

“Preparations for defence in Queensland are proceeding satisfactorily, and Australia’s strength in that large State has increased very greatly over the past few months,” said the Minister of the Army, Mr Forde, on his return from a tour of inspection. “There can be no doubt,” he said, “that our position has improved enormously, but we are not yet out of the wood and we must not drift into a state of complacency. The American units are throwing themselves into preparations to protect this country and to take the offensive. Our own troops are ready for anything and are increasing their efficiency every day.”

ALLIED ATTACK ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED AT LAE. LONDON, April 27. Allied planes attacked aerodromes at Lae. They destroyed three enemy planes on the ground and one in the air.