FIRES STARTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1943, Page 3

FIRES STARTED

IN JAPANESE OIL STORES IN BURMA . SERIES OF DAMAGING AIR ATTACKS. ENEMY RIVER LAUNCHES ENGAGED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, April 1. An India communique states: “Yesterday morning R.A.F. Blenheims made a damaging attack on oil installations and other objectives at Bhamo, a Japanese base on the Irrawaddy east of Katha. Several hits were observed on the main oil storage buildings and other parts of the works, also on enemy barracks and many fires were started. “An attack was also made last night on the Mandalay marshalling yards. A number of bombs were dropped, but detailed results were not observed. “In a combat between ten R.A.F. Hurricanes and twelve Japanese fighters over the Huthidaung area, one enemy aircraft was destroyed. Other fighters carried out offensive patrols. Three of our aircraft are missing, but one pilot is believed to be safe. One of our light, craft, operating over the Mayu River recently, engaged three or four Japanese motor launches, in spite of heavy covering fire from the bank, but details of the engagement are not available.”