OFFICIAL REPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1943, Page 3

OFFICIAL REPORT

PORT MORESBY BATTLE AND OTHER ENGAGEMENTS. ALLIED LOSSES RELATIVELY LIGHT. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) y SYDNEY, April 13. Reporting the air battle over Port Moresby, General MacArthur’s communique states: “Approximately 100 enemy planes, evenly divided between bombers and fighters, attacked the aerodrome areas before noon. In a series of bitter air actions, our fighters completely defeated the enemy. Twenty-nine enemy planes were shot out of action by our aircraft, comprising 19 bombers and 10 fighters, and an additional two bombers destroyed and six probables claimed by our anti-air-craft batteries which engaged with telling effect. Altogether, 37 enemy planes were either destroyed or so badly crippled that they could never reach their base. “Our losses were relatively light. During the day’s action in all parts of the north-eastern sector, the enemy lost no fewer than 52 aircraft. Including Sunday’s losses at Oro Bay, we have now shot out of action in battle 76 enemy combat craft.” The communique continues: “Northwestern sector, Dutch New Guinea (Hollandia): One of our heavy reconnaissance units bombed an enemy cargo vessel in Humbolt Bay. Kaimana: One of our heavy units bombed shipping on the harbour. Aru Islands (Dobo): One of our heavy units strafed two small coastal vessels. Kai Islands (Toeal): One of our heavy units bombed the town. SUBMARINE SUNK. “North-eastern sector, New Britain (Rabaul): Our heavy bombers executed a dawn attack on the enemy aerodromes at Vunakanau, Lakunai and Rapopo, scoring direct hits in the dispersal areas and starting numerous fires, which were visible for 50 miles. An anti-aircraft battery was destroyed and an escorted enemy submarine on the surface in St. George’s Channel was bombed at a low altitude and sunk In the course of these attacks, nine enemy fighters ■ attempted interception and three were shot down. All our planes returned. “Gasmata: One of our heavy units strafed the Übili and Talasea aerodromes. Bismarck Sea: One of our heavy reconnaissance units bombed and strafed an enemy cargo ship and a fleet of small coastal vessels, scoring close misses with 5001 b. bombs off the bow of the cargo ship and starting fires on smaller craft. "New Guinea (Wewak): One of our heavy units on reconnaissance was intercepted by 12 fighters, and, in a running engagement lasting 30 minutes, shot seven enemy planes out of action. The damage to our aircraft was neglible and it returned to its base. “Hansa Bay: One of our heavy units attacked an enemy convoy in the harbour, scoring at least one direct hit and near misses with heavy bombs. Two cargo ships were damaged and left smoking. “Madong: One of our heavy units bombed the dock area, rekindling the smouldering fires of the last three days. Morobe: A single enemy bomber raided, without damage or casualties. Cape Ward Hunt: One of our fighter patrols intercepted a mixed enemy force of medium bombers and fighters retreating from the attack on Port Moresby, shooting down three bombers and one fighter without loss to themselves. Shortly after dawn, a fast enemy reconnaissance plane was sighted 20 miles east of Cape Ward Hunt. One of our fighters pursued it to Port Moresby and back, finally shooting it down in flames after a chase lasting one hour.”