BOMBERS IN ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1943, Page 3

BOMBERS IN ACTION

AGAINST JAPANESE CONVOY OFF NEW i GUINEA

TWO BIG TRANSPORTS SUNK

ANOTHER DIRECTLY HIT.

AT LEAST EIGHTEEN ZEROS SHOT DOWN.

(Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, January 8.

Allied bombers have made smashing attacks on a large Japanese convoy carrying reinforcements to Lae, in the Huon Gulf area, in north-east New Guinea.

Already they have sunk two large transports, including one of 14,000 tons, heavily laden with troops. A direct hit with a 500 lb« bomb has been scored on a third vessel, and at least 18 of a strong protecting umbrella of enemy fighters have been shot down.

This Japanese convoy of 10 vessels is the largest ever to have entered north New Guinea waters. It comprises two cruisers, four destroyers, and four transports. The Allied air attacks are still continuing. So far our plane losses are declared to be comparatively light. A great Allied bomber striking force comprising Fortresses, Liberators, Catalinas, Marauders and Mitchells, escorted by Lockheed Lightnings, first launched the attacks On the convoy when it was sighted south of New Britain on Wednesday afternoon. The reported losses were inflicted up till noon on Thursday, when at least 10 separate attacks had been made on the enemy ships. The Japanese sent up a strong Zero escort to protect the convoy at various times. Fifty-four of their fighters were in the air, ■the largest formation encountered being 14. Apart from the 18 Zeros shot down five more were probably destroyed and four others damaged. When first attacked the convoy dispersed but did not deviate from its course. No official estimate has been released of the number of Japanese troops carried, but it is believed that at least 1600 were drowned when the 14,000-ton transport sunk with all hands. There is little doubt that the convoy came from Rabaul, where the Japanese have massed the greatest shipping strength ever seen in the South-West Pacific. The tonnage which heralded the big October attacks on Guadalcanal or the earlier concentration, preceding the Coral Sea battle. No new air attacks are reported against the Japanese shipping remaining in Rabaul harbour. But while the main Allied air offensive has been directed against the convoy now off Lae, the aerodrome at Lae has also been under attack from our heavy and medium bombers with fighter escort. Catalinas raided Gasmata aerodrome early on Thursday morning and started four fires in the aircraft dispersal area.