JAPANESE SHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1943, Page 4

JAPANESE SHIPS

ATTACKS BY NEW ZEALAND PLANES —■ . ' DURING RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT. SOME DAMAGE INFLICTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 3. Details of an attack carried out by a New Zealand reconnaissance bomber against a Japanese vessel is described in a news release, issued by the Air Department in Wellington. It states: “Aircraft of the R.N.Z.A.F., operating from an advanced Pacific base, recently sighted a small enemy vessel, while on patrol near one of the Japanese-occupied islands. The captain of the aircraft decided to attack and went in towards the vessel which appeared to be carrying troops and equipment. Bombs burst close to the vessel, which appeared to suffer some damage. The exact degree of the damage could not be seen but when our aircraft left the vessel she was listing. A similar attack was carried out against a Japanese tanker by another aircraft, which secured several near misses. The intervention of a Japanese fighter prevented the New Zealand crew from observing the exact damage inflicted. These actions indicate clearly the aggressive spirit of the New Zealand reconnaissance squadrons operating in combat areas. Although their task is primarily that of securing information they have occasionally an opportunity for carrying out an attack.”