Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-02
Jap WdrpIdnes
Fly High Over
Aussie Railroad
Gen. Macarthur issues
Warning as They Elude
onfi-Aireraff Shells
By BRYDoN c. TANES
LATED Press stan Correspondent


GENERAL NacARTHUR'S
HEADQUARTERS, AUSTRALIA,
May 2.-Two warplanes, officially
unidentified but obviously Japa-
nese, have flown over the ul-
nerable northeas coast a
Australia, indicating that Japan
may soon strike at the continent
and give American forces here
their first test of battle, Gen.
Douglas Macarthur revealed To-
day.
Macarthur announced in a
special communicate tn al the
planes had flown over Townsville,
on the populated coastal fringe,
and that attempts 10 intercept
them had failed.
II was the first time that enemy
planes had been definitely re-
ported over the populated area,
though there had been uncon-
firrned reports Of such reconnais-
sance flights before Macarthur
assumed his command of Ameri-
can, Australian and Netherlands
forces in Australia.
The fact that Townsville is more
than loo miles from the nearest
japanese land bases raised the
question whether the planes were
cerrier-borne, and meant that an
enemy feet might be within strik-
ing distance Of the continent.
Flying high, the planes passed
safely over a barrage put up by
Allied anti-aircraft guns and dis
appeared before American and
Australian interceptor planes
could contact them.
The importance which MacAr-
thur attached to the visit of the
planes. almost certainly japanese
reconnaissance craft. was empha-
sized by the fact that he made I'll
the occasion of his first special
communique.
RAILROAD TOWN
Townsville Is on the vitality i'm
portant east coast railroad-high-
way communication line, TOO miles
north Of Brisbane.
Off the coast lies the Great
Barrier Reef, and beyond it is al
group OF tiny rocky islets. reefs
and keys.
In his regular communique Mac
Arthur announced that American
bombing planes had attacked jap
anese airdrome' installations at
Gasmata. ON New Britain Island.
yesterday ON the sixth day of an
aerial offensive over a 2,500-nilel
'front.' Asg' -r~r
Gasmata, on the south coast of
New Britain, Us miles east of the
japanese Huon Gulf invasion area
In New Guinea, was the eighth
enemy base attacked by the AL
lied air corps since Sunday.
HEAVY DAMAGE
IT was indicated that heavy
damage was done. to airdrome
buildings and II was believed that
grounded planes might have been
damaged, to increase an estimated
toll Of 81 enemy planes destroyed, |
probably destroyed or damaged in
~ hours.
Macarthur said in his commu-
niQue that one out of five Japa-
nese fighter planes which raided
Port Moresby. New Guinea. yes
terday, was shot down by a United
States fighter patrol which inter-
cepted them and drove them off.
Macarthur also reported that
IN Allied plane on reconnaissance,
attacked by seven enemy fighters,
shot down one and probably dam
aged another.
The comrnunique added:
Philippines-Corregidor: In
tensive air and artillery bonn.
bardment Of the fortified islands
continues. Cebu: The situation
n unchanged. Mindanao: The
enemy attempted to cross the
Grande River"
3 PLANES DOWNED
Thursday a United States me-
dunn bomber, probably a Catalina. |
shot down three of seven attack
ing Mayo planes, Japan's best
fighters; probably shot down two
more and sent the remaining two
fleeing with smoke pouring from
their damaged engines.
Wednesday a bomber Of the
same type, attacked by five Zeros, /
shot down one and probably de-
stroyed another.
II then proceeded to its objective /
at Lac, on the Huon Gulf. and de-
stroyed five grounded Navy-O's. /
Can Any of Us Be Called Nor 7
NAL Human Reinpse A pSvchIa-