MANY AIR ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 August 1943, Page 3

MANY AIR ATTACKS

ON JAPANESE PACIFIC BASES SALAMAUA HEAVILY BOMBED. AMERICAN TROOPS PUSHING ON FROM MUNDA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, August 10. In widespread attacks throughout the South-West Pacific yesterday, Allied aircraft dropped 224 tons of bombs on Japanese installations. One of the heaviest attacks ever made on the enemy’s northern New Guinea stronghold of Salamaua saw 103 tons of explosives dropped on the town, harbour and river districts. Fires and explosions wore caused. In the Solomons, the American forces which captured Munda airfield are pushing forward through a jungle quagmire created by torrential rain against Bairoko harbour, the last Japanese foothold on New Georgia. Supporting the ground advance, our aircraft dropped 22 tons of bombs on enemy positions. It is revealed that 11 disabled Japanese planes were captured when Munda airfield was wrested from the enemy last Thursday. Vila aerodrome, on Kolombangara Island, just 10 miles from Bairoko, was twice attacked yesterday. Our heavy and medium bombers with fighter escort dropped 63 tons of bombs. In New Guinea, apart from the big attack on Salamaua, General MacArthur’s aircraft have also been active in intensive coastal sweeps. Strong formations of Mitchell bombers twice attacked the Bogadjim area, near Madang. Considerable damage was caused to bridges and construction camp areas on the main coast road. Over .the Tala Sea, on the north coast of New Britain, a Liberator on reconnaissance was attacked by nine Zeros. One of the enemy fighters was shot down and three were damaged. The remainder were driven off.

Today's communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters also reports an attack by Liberators and Mitchells on Ambon, 580 miles north of Darwin, where 36 tons of bombs were dropped on the target area, causing explosions and fires. -