PERSISTENT ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1943, Page 3

PERSISTENT ATTACKS

ON JAPANESE BASE OF GASMATA u : THREE DAYS OF HEAVY BOMBING. LARGE ENEMY TRANSPORT DESTROYED. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, November 24. In three days General MacArthur’s bombers have pounded the Japanese supply base of Gasmata, in south-west New Britain, with 329 tons of bombs. Their latest punishing assault was made on Monday, when planes unloaded 142 tons, the heaviest aerial strike yet made against Gasmata. More than 100 Liberator and Mitchell bombers with an escort of Lightning fighters took part in the attack, and, in addition to bombing, made extensive strafing sweeps, expending 35,000 rounds of ammunition. Considerable damage was caused among supply dumps and installations. The Japanese were unable to mount any fighter cover, but anti-aircraft fire destroyed one Mitchell. About the same time as the Gasmata attack, other Liberators dropped 52 tons of bombs o.n Cape Gloucester aerodrome at the western tip of New Britain, destroying or damaging five enemy planes which were caugnt on the ground. Today’s communique from General MacArthur's headquarters, which records this stepped-up Allied offensive against Japanese targets in western New Britain, also reports the destruction of a 7000-ton enemy freightertransport near Kavieng, New Ireland. An attacking Liberator scored a direct bomb hit amidships, and 30 minutes later the airmen observed the crew abandoning the vessel and being picked up by an escorting destroyer. In the northern Solomons, Admiral Halsey’s bombers are maintaining their neutralising attacks against enemy aerodromes. Corsair and Airacobra fighters on patrol over the American beachhead at Empress Augusta Bey destroyed an entire Japanese raiding force of one dive-bomber and six lighters.

No further details have been reported of the land fighting at Satelberg, New Guinea, where Australian troops are within half a mile of the town. Patrol activity is continuing. Our aircraft are striking against the enemy’s supply lines, particularly in the coastal sector round Wsreo. It is possible that Japanese barges have been sneaking supplies for the Satelberg garrison asnore in the Wsreo area at night.