HEAVY AIR DEFEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1943, Page 3

HEAVY AIR DEFEAT

SUFFERED BY JAPANESE

48 ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED AGAINST ALLIED LOSS OF FIVE. IN SOLOMONS-NEW GUINEA AREA (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY. August 16: Allied fighters yesterday destroyed 48 Japanese machines in the Solomons-New Guinea area. We lost five, Thirlyj'otir of the enemy planes were shot down over the Solomons by airmen of the South Pacific command. General MacArthur's communique today also reports that the merciless aerial bombardment of Salamaua, in New Guinea, continues.

In the latest attack. 99 tons of bombs were dropped on the Komiatum sector: This brought the total tonnage of bombs rained on the Salamaua area during the past four days to 590. Ths total tonnage during August is now 850. Salamaua is the objective of the present Allied land offensive in New Guinea. Combined air and ground operations are reported to be proceeding according to plan Yesterday's areial attack was made in adverse weather by Liberators and Fortresses, and full results could not be observed because of rain squal.ls The Japanese planes destroyed over the Solomons yesterday comprised 22 figliters and 12 dive-bombers. They fell in a series of Allied air interceptions in a 100-mile area from Vella Lavella Island to Kahili aerodrome, Bougainville Island. Only two Allied fighters were lost along this front. Seven of the enemy planes crashed near Kahili aerodrome when a Japanese formation which was returning to its base was broken up and dispersed. Grounded aircraft, were heavily strafed. Complete details of the damage inflicted have not yet been received at General MacArthur’s headquarters. The Japanese Air Force sustained its second major reverse of the day when Airacobras intercepted 12 enemy bombers. supported by a top-cover of 25 Zeros, south-west of Lae. Though outnumbered, our fighters attacked, shooting down 11 of the bombers and three Zeros. Three Airacobras were lost.

Other Japanese losses reported in General MacArthur’s latest communique include 19 barges engaged in running supplies to New Guinea from New Britain. Liberators and Fortresses made wide sweeps along the southern and north-western coasts of New Britain in search of these targets.

WILD MELEE

TWO AUSTRALIANS KILL 16 JAPANESE.

IN REPELLING NIGHT ATTACK ON OUTPOAST.

(Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY. August 16. Iwo Western Australian A.l.i-. infantrymen killed 16 Japanes* with their bayonets in a wild to minutes’ melee fought in heavy rain and pitch darkness at an ad-

vanced outpost on Mount Tambu, in New Guinea. Among the Japan-

ese dead were found a lieutenant and two sergeants. The Australians were alone in their outpost when Japanese sneaked up close and then rushed the position, firing widly and throwing grenades. The Australians determined not io re veal themselves by returning the fire, but dashed into the attackers with their bayonets. The Japanese turned and fled. In the morrning, 16 bodies were counted.