IN SPITE OF LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1943, Page 3

IN SPITE OF LOSSES

JAPANESE* MASSING SHIPS ( & AIRCRAFT ON ISLAND ARC NORTH OF AUSTRALIA. CONTINUED ALLIED ATTACKS. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, March 22. Undeterred by their recent heavy losses, the Japanese are still moving transports and supply vessels under the Allied protective bombing screen guarding Australia’s far north. Every day brings fresh evidence that the enemy is strengthenng his grip on the island arc, particularly in the New Guinea area. Six of eight enemy ships attacked by General MacArthur's aircraft yesterday were off the south-western end of Dutch New Guinea. The Japanese appear to be establishing a series of bases in the Cape Vandenbosch area, about 500 miles north of Darwin. The two transports which, together with a destroyer, were attacked as they were leaving Kaimana, north-east of Cape Vandenbosch, yesterday morning were between 8000 and 9000 tons. They are believed to be the same ships as those attacked on Saturday in this locality. Further east, along the south coast of Dutch New Guinea, three enemy ships attacked by a Liberator off Cape Namaripi, were each of about 1000 tons. » fficial reports during the past few weeks have indicated that the Japanese have a holding base at Kaukenau and have fanned out on both sides, moving west toward Babo and McLeur inlet. MANY RAIDS REPORTED BY GENERAL MACARTHUR. ENEMY DESTROYER BADLY DAMAGED. SYDNEY, March 22. After referring to the bombing of the Japanese convoy leaving Kaimana, General MacArthur’s communique states: — “North-western sector, Kai Islands (Langgoer): One of our medium bpmbers at du'sk strafed an enemy-oc-cupied village, silencing a machinegun position and damaging two luggers in the harbour. “North-eastern sector, New Britain (Gasmata): In a night harassing raid one of our medium units bombed and strafed the aerodrome and ground installations, causing explosions and fires which were still burning an hour later when we left the target. “Cape Gloucester area: One of our heavy units bombed an enemy cargo ship in Borgen Bay, scoring a direct hit and a miss within 10 feet of the vessel, which was left listing and in a sinking condition. “Solomons area: During the night one of our medium reconnaissance units attacke'd a large enemy destroyer proceeding east at high speed. Two direct hits crippled the warship, which was last seen limping toward its base at greatly-reduced speed, trailing a large slick of oil. “New Guinea (Madang): One of our medium units executed a harassing night raid on the areodrome and town, starting fires. “Finschhafen: One of our medium units raided the area at night.”