AIR FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1942, Page 3

AIR FIGHTING

FIERCE ENCOUNTERS NORTH OF AUSTRALIA SOME LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES. BALANCE WELL AGAINST ENEMY. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, July 5. Some of the fiercest fighting of the northern air war occurred on Saturday, the latest Allied Headquarters; communique reports. Six enemy planes were destroyed, three probably destroyed and three others damaged during the day’s operations. Four of our own planes are missing. Twenty Japanese Zero fighters made a morning raid on Port Moresby. They were intercepted by Allied fighters, and during the combat which followed, one enemy plane was shot down and three others damaged. Three of our fighters are missing in this engagement. Two enemy bombers also made a night attack on the aerodrome at Port Moresby, but caused no damage. Strenuous enemy fighter opposition and anti-aircraft fire were encountered when our bombers made heavy day and night raids on an aerodrome in the Salamaua-Lae area. Direct hits were scored on runways, aircraft, dispersal pens and buildings. A strong' force of enemy fighters intercepted our planes. Five of the enemy fighters were shot down and three others probably destroyed. One of our planes was lost in a collision with an enemy fighter, but all the others returned safely. The communique does not reveal if our raiding bombers were accompanied by fighter escort.