Evening star., 1942-04-16

Backes. chief OF the Philippine Army
Air Corps; Col Fisher U. S. A. who
was assigned TO headquarters,
Philippines Department; 1t. Col
w B. Kinnard. Capt Joseph Moore,
Capt Henry Thorne, Capt. Harvey
Whitfield, 1t. Wienart, 1t. Thomas
Gerrity and Ii. Conley
The others were enlisted men
bombardiers, naVigators and non
commissioned offlcers-whose names
have not yet been issued
Gen. Royce called Burma the vital
spot for hitting at the japanese.
He said it was his opinion that if
the United Nations were able to get
sufficient planes to Burmese bases
and to strike across China, they
could cut the Japanese trail south
ward from the Philippines with
long-range bombers
Raiders Achievements.
A recapitulation showed these
achievements for the relatively
small aerial striking force:
-Four, enemy centers raided;
-Four enemy transports sunk, four
others hit, including one probably
sunk.
Troop concentrations bombarded; ;
Docks and warehouses damaged; +;
An enemy-held airfleld-Nichols,
near Manila-heavily bombed;
Five enemy planes, including a
bomber and seaplane, destroyed,
others damaged.
Fifty year old Gen Royce,
declared that the raid demonstrated
how heavily and how widely the
United Nations could strike back
with sufficient planes based on Aus
tralia
He said it demonstrated also that
it was essential to prevent the jap
anese from setting up bases In this
zone.
At Canberra. Baron van Aerssen
Beyeren van voshol, the first Meth
erlandS Minister to Australia, pre-
sented letters of credence today to
Governor General Lord Gowrie with
in the air Netherlands forces are
fighting side by side with the gal
liant Australians and they are
determined to continue the fight
until final victory will be achieved.
When the planes got back to their
hidden rendezvous Sunday evening,
at the end of the first day, Gen.
Royce said, I'VE worked on them all
night and got them out again in the
morning"
He disclosed that one plane was
shot up somewhat and few all the
way home on three engines"
The bomber lost, he said, was on
the ground having an engine
changed. Japanese bombers came
over 13 times-flve on Sunday eve
ming and eight more Monday-but
scored only one direct hit, the
bomber bursting into flames.
One of the Americans attacks on
Davao was Synchronized with ali
attack by American land forces on
the island and the airmen sue
ceeded in dropping many bombs
amid Japanese troop concentra-
tions, he said.
Fully Justified. Royce Says.
Gen, Royce said he regarded the
raid as fully justified under exist
ing circumstances II was carried
out in perfect weather. Only one
plane was damaged in fight. and
that from but a few thousand feet
Gen. Royce praised the pilots
performance as excellent and cited
one captain who took a place as
bombardier in another plane when
his own was out OF commission,
1t was the first use of the B-25s
on an extensive scale and the me-
dium bombers' impressive perform
ance made him plan to send a mes
sage to their makers-North Ameri-
csn-that the B-25 is "helluva fine
plane, he said.
Anti-aircraft fire was heavier
from Davao than from Mlndanao.
but was generally heavy.
The most important military as
pect Of the series of raids was the
frishtening effect on the morale Of
the japanese and the hesrtening
effect on the Americans still fighting
in the Philippines he said
The raids let the defenders know
their brotherS-in-a have rot for
gotten them and are doing their
best to help"