MANY AIR ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1943, Page 3

MANY AIR ATTACKS

ON JAPANESE SHIPS & BASES IN SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC HEAVY RAID ON LAE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, April 28. Allied bombers and long-range fighters were over 13 Japanese bases in the South-West Pacific yesterday in a burst of increased offensive activity reported in General MacArthur’s communique today. The targets attacked included cargo ships, supply dumps and enemyoccupied areas. The Japanese base of Nabire was mentioned for the first time. Nabire is on the south coast of Dutch New Guinea, south-east of Geelvink Bay. Other unusual targets featured in the communique included Watdek, in the Kai Islands, Rebi in the Aru Islands, and Bern, in Timor.

Two 4000-ton ships were attacked by a heavy bomber in the Arafura Sea, 50 miles north-west of Dobo. A direct hit and a close miss were scored on the bow of one ship and two near-misses on the other. Targets in New Britain and along the north coast of New Guinea were also attacked. The heaviest raid was made on Lae, where heavy bombers attacked the aerodrome at dusk, while long-range fighters thoroughly strafed barge concealment areas in Labu Lagoon. Boston attack planes again strafed the Japanese position on Green Hill, near Mubo, 11 miles inland from Salamaua

HEAVIER FIGHTING IN HIGH COUNTRY ROUND MUBO. ALLIED AIRCRAFT BLASTING ENEMY POSITIONS. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY. April 28. Heavier fighting has broken out in the high country round Mubo, the inland outpost defence point for the Japanese north New Guinea hase bf Salamaua. This ground fighting is a continuation of the battle for the ridges which has not stopped since the Japanese, retreating after their defeat at Wau in January, slowed down their withdrawal' near the Guadagasel Gap. Though Allied gains have been made, there is nothing in the present fighting to suggest an imminent drive against Salamaua. For some days Allied aircraft supporting our troops have been blasting Japanese positions on a hill a mile and a half north-west of Mubo. Because of the dense jungle hiding their positions, it has not been possible to observe the results of these attacks, but it is likely that the Japanese suffered heavily. A few weeks ago our planes made similar bombing and strafing raids on another enemy strongpoint in the area. When Allied patrols occupied the site they found about 300 enemy dead.

These air attacks are designed to open up the jungle for Allied troops. Though previously concealed under thick vegetation, enemy trenches, fortifications, and supply dumps have been laid bare by the bombing, and this has enormously facilitated operations by our ground forces. Movement through this country is extremely difficult. Allied patrols are frequently able to make no better progress than a mile a day. Our attacking planes fly down valleys which offer them barely enough space to get clear of the ravines at the end of their sweeps.

Allied reconnaissance has given no hint that the steady flow of Japanese air strength into their island bases has diminished. The enemy is still occupied in consolidating what General MacArthur has described as a “position of readiness.”