DAILY BOMBING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 February 1943, Page 3

DAILY BOMBING

AIR ATTACKS ON RABAUL ENEMY SHIPS HIT. SEAPLANE TENDER - SEVERELY / DAMAGED. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 26. Air attacks on Japanese shipping in Rabaul harbour have become almost a daily routine. The fourth successive before dawn raid by Flying Fortresses of General MacArthur’s command was made yesterday. Several ships in the harbour were bombed and one of 8000 tons, thought to be a seaplane tender, was severely damaged by four direct hits. When last seen, the vessel was endeavouring to beach, but was settling down by the stern. A second vessel of 4000 tons was hit and three small merchantmen damaged by near misses as Allied heavy bombers maintained their attacks against enemy shipping throughout the South-West Pacific. Twelve Japanese vessels have been bombed in the past two days, but the results of the attacks are not known. While our bombers’ main attack yesterday was against shipping, shore installations and aerodromes at Rabaul. other enemy vessels were bombed at Babo. in north-west Dutch New Guinea, and at Alexishafen, north-west of Salamau. At Babo, a , direct hit was made on the bow of a 4000-ton cargo ship, and at Alexishafen two direct hits, or close misses, were scored against a smaller vessel. Allied aircraft are. continuing their hammering of enemy positions, store dumps and supply trails in the Lae-Mubo-Waria area. It is apparent that the Japanese have concentrated considerable quantities of stores in these localities. . , Discussing the heavy offensive being waged by General MacArthur’s air force, the “Sydney Morning Herald” says editorially: “Bombing will not drive the Japanese out of these bases, but it is inflicting aircraft and shipping losses which are a useful contribution to the war of attrition now being waged as a prelude to stronger blows in the future when adequate forces can be set free from other theatres to strike them. At the same time, concentration on the Allied policy of ‘smashing Hitler first’ does not preclude local offensives of the type already carried through, both in General MacArthur’s and Admiral Halsey’s command areas, and the recent sustained bombing of the enemy’s air and sea bases may be a prelude to further essS’ys of those offensivedefensive tactics which have driven the Japanese from the only territories so far reconquered from them.” PRESIDENT’S THANKS SUCCESSES AGAINST JAPANESE. MESSAGE TO GENERAL MACARTHUR. SYDNEY, February 26. President Roosevelt has sent a message to General MacArthur congratulating the Australian and American forces under his command upon their successes against the Japanese. The message, which was dispatched some days ago, is believed to refer in part to the recent period when air attacks of record strength were made against the enemy shipping concentration at Rabaul. It reads: “The efficient bombardment which has been launched by your forces during the past few weeks, and specially in the last few days, in support of the situation in the Solomon Islands, and in furtherance of your own operations command our admiration. The arduous land campaign along the Papuan coast, which has decimated the enemy and now threatens him at Salamaua. has made a great impression on our peop e. and must have a demoralising effect on the corifidence of the Japanese in the fighting efficiency of their ground troops. “My thanks go to you and your leaders and to the officers and men of the Australian and United States forces who have carried the fight to the enemy over great distances and even greater difficulties. FURTHER RAIDS IN NORTH AND SOUTH PACIFIC. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 26. A Navy communique states that in the North Pacific on February 23 United States bombers, escorted by fighters, bombed Kiska. The results were not observed. In the South Pacific, on February 25. Dauntless dive-bombers, escorted by Lightnings and’ Wildcats, bombed Vila. Fires were started. Liberator heavy bombers attacked Kahili and Fjusi, Shortland Island.;