TORN TO PIECES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1943, Page 3

TORN TO PIECES

JAPANESE AIR RAIDING FORCE ATTACKING ORO BAY 23 PLANES SHOT OUT OF ACTION. SEVENTEEN DEFINITELY DESTROYED. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, April 12. “Reconnaissance reports show major increases in enemy air strength, ami the recent hostile attacks indicate that the enemy has initiated an air offensive which may attain a considerable scale of effort,” states a communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters. No elaboration has yet been made of this warning that a large-scale Japanese air offensive may be pending in the south-west Pacific area. However, for some months past, the enemy has been pushing ahead with the rapid construction of aerodromes round his island perimeter north of Australia. These airfields have been estimated as capable of servicing 1500 combat aircraft. In the first substratosphere battle ever fought in the south-west Pacific, Allied pilots yesterday destroyed for certain 17 of 23 planes reported shot cut of action. Locked Lightnings and Kittyhawks in dogfights at altitudes of from three to 6| miles shattered a big enemy raid on the Allied base at Oro Bay, on the north Papuan coast. Twelve of the enemy planes definitely destroyed were Zeros and five were dive-bombers. This was one of the few occasions on which Allied fighter pilots have gone into battle on approximately equal numerical terms with the enemy. They are described as “tearing the Japanese formation to pieces.” Evidence of this is the fact that the raiders were able to drop only 25 to 30 bombs in the target area. A MIGHTY DRIVE. In an engagement reported over Kavieng (New Ireland), a Flying Fortress on reconnaissance swooped from 13,000 to 200 feet in a mighty dive to avoid a pack of 10 attacking Zeros. When some of the big bomber’s, guns seized, the pilot was forced to dive almost to sea level to render his plane less vulnerable. The Zeros followed and made sixteen passes before they were driven off, after three of their number had been shot down and three more damaged. The Fortress returned to its base unscathed. General MacArthur’s communique also stated:— “North-west sector, Dutch New Guinea (Timika): One of our medium bombers executed a night attack on the aerodrome, causing explosions and fires ip supply dump areas. During the day, our medium units again bombed the aerodrome, scoring hits and starting fires. Babo: Our medium units executed a night bombing and strafing attack on the aerodrome, causing fires and explosions. “Kaimana: In a night raid, one of our medium units strafed four enemy float planes and an 800-ton merchant vessel in the harbour The vessel was damaged and losing way after three strafimg passes. Aru Islands: One of our medium units bombed enemy positions on Trangan Island. Timor (Baucau): Our medium bombers attacked the aerodrome and an enemy-occupied village, causing heavy destruction in the building areas. “New Guinea (Madang): One of our heavy units bombed the waterfront, adding to the fires which have now been burning for two days. The entire dock area is in ruins. Finschafen: Our heavy and medium units bombed and strafed the town and harbour, starting fires. Lae: Our heavy units bombed the aerodrome and the town, at night starting fires and explosions.”