MUCH DEVASTATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1943, Page 3

MUCH DEVASTATION

CAUSED IN LATEST RAID ON RABAUL STRONG GROUND DEFENCES DEFIED. NO ENEMY AIR OPPOSITION. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, March 26. Rabaul, the main Japanese advanced base in the SouthWest Pacific, has had another smashing raid. In a massed attack before dawn on Thursday, heavy Liberators dropped a record cargo of 20001 b bombs on the town and harbour front area with evidently devastating effect. The big planes again fought their way through a terrific antiaircraft and searchlight barrage. Pilots say Rabaul has the strongest antiaircraft concentrations and is the most stoutly-defended enemy base in the entire South-West Pacific area. Indeed, American airmen, who have seen service in the Philippines, believe that for its size Rabaul is the most stoutly-defended base in the world. During Tuesday’s heavy raid on Japanese aircraft concentrations at Rabaul, one enemy night fighter appeared, but did not join battle. On Thursday, no enemy air opposition was encountered. It had seemed that the Japanese were experimenting with night interception in the hope of warding off the consistent and damaging Allied air blows. But the fact that no enemy planes were in the air during our latest visit implies either that the Japanese have abandoned the idea of using night fighters, or that their Rabaul aerodromes were so severely damaged in Tuesday’s attacks that their planes were unable to get off the ground. SHIPS BOMBED AT AMBON. General MacArthur’s communique states:— “North-western sector (Ambon): Our heavy bombers attacked the enemy-occupied town and shipping in the harbour. Direct hits with 5001 b. bombs were scored on two enemy cargo vessels of 8000 and 6000 tons, and large fires were started in the wharf and building area. “North-eastern sector (New Britain, Rabaul) : In a two-hour attack before dawn our heavy units struck the town area with bombs, ranging as high as 20001 b. Large fires and heavy explosions were seen along the northern shore of the harbour. Six hours later one of our reconnaissance planes over the area observed smoke and flame from waterfront fires rising to 3000 feet. “Übili: One of our heavy bombers executed a three-hour night harassing raid over the area. “Gasmata: One of our heavy units bombed enemy installations, registering direct hits on the wharf and adjacent buildings. “New Guinea (Lae): Our heavy units twice raided the aerodrome. “Salamaua: Striking at dawn our attack planes bombed buildings and enemy supply installations from a low altitude. “Dykeachland Bay: Our fighters intercepted and shot down an enemy medium bomber on reconnaissance.”