SMASHING ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 September 1942, Page 3

SMASHING ATTACKS

ON THE JAPANESE BASE IN BUNA NUMEROUS PLANES DESTROYED ; ON GROUND. SUPPLY DUMPS BLOWN UP. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, September 13. The Allied air force in the southwest Pacific has made smashing attacks on Buna, the base for the Japanese drive across the Owen Stanley Range. During the past two days, at least 20 grounded aircraft have been destroyed in raids on the enemy aerodrome. On Saturday, our heavy, medium and attack bombers, with fighter escort, made four attacks, 26 tons of bombs were dropped in the target area, and 28,000 rounds of cannon and machine-gun ammunition expended. The raids began at dawn and fol-, lowing the bombings our attack bombers and fighters made seven strafing runs over the aerodrome. Seventeen enemy planes were destroyed, every anti-aircraft position was silenced and heavy casualties were inflicted on enemy personnel. Fires and explosions from fuel and supply dumps were visible 30 miles away.' No attempt was made to intercept. Only one plane failed to return.

This series of raids followed two heavy attacks on Friday, when three grounded aircraft and a number of trucks were destroyed. Successful ail' attacks have also been made against the Japanese war shipping in the New Guinea area. In addition to the two destroyers, a minelaying vessel near New .Ireland was bombed.

In the Efogi area, sporadic patrol actions occurred. An Australian forward unit inflicted some 20 casualties. Their losses were light.