PATROL FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1942, Page 3

PATROL FIGHTING

IN OWEN STANLEY RANGES ■ill » MAIN BODIES NOT YET ENGAGED. EFFECTIVE BLOWS STRUCK BY ALLIED PLANES. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, September 16. Fighting has increased in the Owen Stanley Ranges, where opposing troops are in contact, though the main bodies of the forces are not yet engaged. A headquarters spokesman today described the action as “skirmishing.” The general battle area is reported to be unchanged, but the fighting is fluctuating as offensive patrols make their thrusts.

With the tempo of action on the mountain front rising, the Allied air forces have again struck at the Japanese both north and north-east of Australia.

The heaviest blow was against shipping in Rabaul harbour. Flying Fortresses made the raid, and though heavy clouds prevented full observation, a large enemy cargo vessel was seen burning. The Japanese sent up a strong force of intercepting Zero fighters. one of which was shot down. All our planes returned to their base. Australian Hudson medium bombers returned to Saumlakki, in the Tenimber Islands, where they made a dawn raid on the Japanese ship which was attacked on Monday. A direct hit was scored on the stern of the ship. Heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered, and one of our planes is missing. Again Allied aircraft raided the northern New Guinea base of Buna, which has been subjected to repeated poundings since the enemy landed there in July. The targets included supply dumps, aircraft dispersal areas, and barges on the beach, and fires were started. Again the enemy made no attempt at fighter interception.