MORE SUCCESSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1943, Page 3

MORE SUCCESSES

GAINED BV AUSTRALIANS IN NEV/ GUINEA JUNGLE FIGHTING. MANY AIR RAIDS ON JAPANESE BASES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, May 14. Japanese patrols have been worsted in the latest clashes between the opposing ground forces near Mubo and Komiatum in northern New Guinea. This is reported in General MacArthur's communique today. The enemy suffered. 60 casualties in fighting on Lababia ridge, east of Mubb, and have been driven back to their original positions on Green's Hill. Another party of 80 Japanese, moving inland a mile north of Komiatum, were ambushed and left 35 dead behind them. Many more were wounded. Daring daylight raids were made yesterday on the Japanese base of Gasmata. New Britain. Mitchell medium bombers, Flying Fortresses and Beaufighters bombed and strafed the aerodrome and the waterfront. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Mitchells made the initial attacks and were followed immediately by Beaufighters in low-level strafing sweeps. Meanwhile other Flying Fortresses bombed the Lakunai and Vunakanau aerodromes at Rabaul in attacks before dawn. The results are not reported.

Other Allied bombers on an offensive reconnaissance on Thursday bombed Lorengau in the Admiraty Islands, Cape Gloucester in New Britain, and Finchhafen and Bogodkim, on the north Nev/ Guinea coast. Bogodkim, is 12 miles south of Madang. Early last night two Japanese planes raided Port Morsby, but the .six bombs they dropped fell harmlessly in the bush.