JAPANESE BASES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 February 1943, Page 3

JAPANESE BASES

AMERICAN AIR ATTACKS IN .SOUTH PACIFIC AREA. NEW GEORGIA & KOLOMBANGARA LONDON, February 18. In the South Pacific, American Dauntless dive-bombers again attacked the Japanese held area at Munda, in New Georgia. The Japanese positions on Kolombangara Island were also bombed. IN NEW GUINEA NO RESPITE FOR JAPANESE. HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED ON ENEMY. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 18. The Japanese forces, which less than three weeks ago made a surprise assault on Wau aerodrome in New Guinea, have now retreated more than half-way back to their advance base at Mubo. They are being given no respite by forward elements of the Australian troops, who have already 'killed more than 1100 of the enemy and wounded an even greater number. Some Australian patrols made harassing attacks on the, Japanese at a point only about three miles from Mubo. The Allied air force continues to attack the enemy’s nearby supporting bases of Lae and Salamaua. Yesterday morning, Beaufighters made a sweep along this coastal area, strafing targets of opportunity. Villages round the Lubo lagoon n the Kumusi River area were also attacked. Liberators raided targets in New Britain with 5001 b. bombs. Übili was attacked three times and Gasmata twice. Barges offshore were destroyed at Gasmata. A two-master 80-foot schooner was sunk off Bambak, Cape Gloucester. In Dutch New Guinea, the enemyoccupied town of Bobo, on McGluer Gulf, was bombed by a Liberator. In none of these raids was any Japanese air opposition encountered and all our planes returned. SUBMARINES’ BAGS DETAILS OF PACIFIC SINKINGS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 17. A United States Navy communique states: “Our submarines have reported the following results of operations in Pacific and Far Eastern areas: A med-ium-sized tanker sunk, a medium- sized transport sunk, two medium- sized cargo ships sunk, an escort vessel sunk, a cruiser damaged and probably sunk, and a midium-sized cargo ship damaged. These actions have not been announced in any previous communique.”