PUNISHING BLOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1943, Page 3

PUNISHING BLOW

STRUCK AT JAPANESE ATTEMPTING TO EVACUATE KOLOMBANGARA. UPWARDS OF FORTY BARGES SUNK OR DAMAGED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright SYDNEY, October 5. Heavy losses were suffered by the Japanese in attempts to evacuate troops from Kolombangara Island in the central Solomons. Large flotillas of barges were intercepted by Allied warships which in two successive night actions sank or badly damaged 40 barges, destroyed an escorting gunboat and* damaged several others. The heavy blow, which was struck by Admiral Halsey’s forces, is reported in today’s communique from General MacArthur. Since they were driven from New Georgia, the Japanese have clung tenaciously tp Kolombangara. They now appear 'to be attempting evacuation to Bougainville Island, on which they have established strong defences. Between 30 and 40 enemy fighters attempted to interfere with a raid by Liberator bombers on Kahili aerodrome and associate bivouac and supply areas at the southern end of Bougainville. Escorting Lightnings, Kittyhawks and Corsairs shot down four enemy lighters for the loss of one Lightning. Another five Japanese planes were shot down by Allied fighters and ships’ anti-aircraft fire when enemy divebombers with a fighter escort twice raided American positions on Vella Lavella Island. The raiders caused moderate damage and casualties. In the Buka Island area, north of Bougainville, Catalina flyingboats on night reconnaissance’’damaged a large unidentified enemy vessel, caused a heavy explosion on a destroyer with a direct hit, and destroyed a barge. Admiral Halsey’s medium and divebombers, protected by fighters, raided an enemy barge depot at Kakasa on Choiseul Island, causing fires and explosion. In New Guinea, Australians driving up the Markham Valley from Kaiapit have made further advances. Forward elements have crossed the Gusap River in the Ramu Valley and are rearing Kaigulin, about 60 miles south of Madang. Light naval craft destroyed three Japanese barges at Sio, about 50 miles north-west of Finschhafen inflicting many casualties amohg troops on shore and starting large fires.