EFFECTIVE BLOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1943, Page 3

EFFECTIVE BLOW

STRUCK BY AMERICAN FORCE AGAINST MARSHALLS

Heavy Japanese Losses of Ships & Aircraft

INCLUDING TWO LIGHT CRUISERS SUNK

ENEMY SHORE INSTALLATIONS DESTROYED OR DAMAGED LONDON, December 8. A communique from the United. States Navy Headquarters gives details of the attack earlier .this week on the Marshall Islands. The attack was carried out by a carrier task force. The force sank six enemy vessels, including’ two Japanese light cruisers and damaged four others. It destroyed or damaged various installations on the four islands of the group, destroyed 72 enemy planes in air combat and bombed an undetermined number, of medium bombers on the ground. One American vessel suffered minor damage and American aircraft losses were light.

. POWERFUL ATTACK

BV BIG FLEET OF BOMBERS RAIN OF EXPLOSIVES POURED ON ISLAND. ' SHIPS ATTACKED FROM MAST HEIGHT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, December 7. The Allied attack on Mille atoll, in the central Pacific, last Saturday, was made by the largest fleet of Liberator bombers ever assembled in the central Pacific, says the “New York Times” Pearl Harbour correspondent. An air force spokesman disclosed that the attack was an extension of the steady pummelling of the enemy north of the American installations in the Gilberts. Tons of heavy and light bombs poured into the garrison, barracks, storehouses and defence installations. Following the first wave came a second which attacked Japanese ships in the lagoon from masthead height.