MANY AIR ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1943, Page 3

MANY AIR ATTACKS

ON JAPANESE PACIFIC BASES ALONG ARC NORTH OF AUSTRALIA FIVE ENEMY SHIPS CRIPPLED IN SOLOMONS. MORE GAINS ON GUADALCANAL. LONDON. January 29. North of Australia, Allied aircraft-are operating over a. great arc from Timor in the west to the Solomons in the west. They have raided Japanese bases, airfields and shipping in a dozen different places. In the Solomons, American aircraft crippled two Japanese destroyers, two cargo ships and a tanker. One of the cargo ships was left sinking. In addition, ten Japanese aircraft have been destroyed and another six listed as probables. The American losses were four aircraft.

On Guadalcanal, United States land forces have captured a large enemy command post, as well as wiping out other pockets of resistance.

EFFECTIVE BLOWS

STRUCK BY AMERICAN PLANES.

ENEMY LOSSES OF PLANES AND SHIPS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) , WASHINGTON, January 29. A Navy Department communique states: “On Wednesdoy morning enemy dive-bombers and high-level bombers, escorted by fighters, approached Guadalcanal. United States fighters engaged the enemy planes. Incomplete reports indicate that nine Zeros were destroyed and six others probably destroyed. The enemy planes dropped no bombs. Four United States planes are missing. “A force of Marauder medium bombers, escorted by Airacobras, bombed installations on Kolombangara Island. Large fires were started. All the United States planes returned.

“A force of Dauntless dive-bombers and Avenger torpedo-planes, escorted by Wildcats, during the evening attacked an enemy destroyer and cargo ship in the Vella Gulf. Two direct hits were scored on the cargo ship, which was left in a sinking condition. Bombs fell close to the destroyer, which was left smoking.

“During Thursday afternoon a force of Dauntless dive-bombers and torpedo planes, escorted by Lightnings, attacked Japanese ships fifteen miles north-eastward of Kolombangara Island. A torpedo hit and caused a large explosion on an enemy destroyer. One bomb hit and several near-hits were scored on a cargo ship. Near-hits were observed on a tanker and a cargo ship. The tanker was left dead in the water and was last seen smoking. One of four Zeros, which intercepted was shot down. All the United States planes returned.”