Evening star., 1942-05-03
Z Transports Hit,
E Aircraft Downed
In the Pacific
b. the Associated Press.

japanese transport. damaged six
more in fierce new action over
New Britain and New Guinea
yesterday, Gen. Macarthur S
headquarters announced today.
1t was announced further that
three japanese flying boats were
destroyed at Salamaua, on the
northeast New Guinea coast, last
Thursday.
Communique on Operations.
A communique covering the
operations said:
New Britain: Rabaul-Our bomb
ers attacked shipping at Rabaul,
securing a direct hit on one trans
port, damaging another and cap
sizing a tender. Eight japanese
fighters intercepted and we de-
stroyed two and damaged four.
New Guinea: Port Moresby-Fif-
teen Zero type fighters attacked the
airdrome yesterday. Our fighters
intercepted successfully, destroying
four enemy planes and damaging
two others.
"Salamaua-Detailed reports of
the Allied raid April 80 reveal that
our attacking planes burned and
destroyed three enemy flying boats
on the water.
"Solomons: Tulagi-Enemy air
raids continue.
philippines: Corregidor - No
change; Visayans. no change: Min
danao, situation static on Parang
Cotabato front"
Yesterday the Allied headquarters
reported that the entire region of
Townsville, far north of Australia S
east coast, was put on guard against
a surprise invasion or air assault
as the result Of the first appearance
OF mysterious scouting planes over
that strategic area and numerous
signs that the japanese are pre-
pairing new blows in the Australian
theater
The flight Of the two suspect
planes over Townsville at 10000
feet altitude was In good observa-
ton weather Friday.
Allied anti-aircraft batteries
opened fire and interceptor planes
took the air, but were unable to
overhaul the strangers.
This first appearance of presum-
ably hostile planes in the Towns
vile area followed a warning by
Gen. Sir Thomas Blamey, the
Australian chief of Allied land
forces in Australia, that increased
enemy activity means he has some
further plan" and reports that a
considerable Japanese naval force
Is concentrated around Jaluit in
the Marshall Islands northeast OF
New Guinea.
Transports and supply ships also
have been reported landing new
forces in the New Guinea and New
Britain areas in recent days.
Townsville. TOO miles below the
northern tip of Cape York, might
well be the first objective, if the
purpose of such enemy concentra-
tions is to strike at Australia s popu-
lous east coast instead of attempting
laborious and time-consuming
campaign across the arid western or
northern regions.
The small city of Townsville is
behind the great barrier reef. but
If the japanese safely penetrated
the mined off-shore waters and
made landing they would find
themselves on the coastal railway
which reaches southwark 300 miles
to Brisbane and l200 miles to
Sydney. Small lines also extend in
land behind the great dividing
range, opening the possibilities OF
fanking attacks against the eastern
defenses.
The fact that nti-aircraft guns
opened fire on the scouting planes
was taken as evidence that the
Allied command is aware of the i'm
portance of the area. Strong all
forces also are believed based neal
Townsville.
Aid Urged for Port Moresby.
Indications that the recent Japa-
nese reinforcementS in the New
Guinea-New Britain area may have
been large was seen in the warn
ing OF the Port Morseby cores
pondent Of the Melbourne Herald
that American and Australian air
men at that base were up against
heavy odds.
More planes, bombs and men art
urgently needed if Port Moresby i.
to be held, he said. Port Moresby
has been the springboard of the
almost daily attacks on japanese
bases at Lac, Salamau, Rabaul anc
Gasmata
Four Attacks on Lac.
There was no official explanation
of the Melbourne Herald cores.
pondent's statement on the situa.
ton at Port Moresby. An analysis
OF headquarters mmuniquei
showed that 81 japanese plane!
were claimed destroyed for certain
during the past week, 20 more prob
ably destroyed, and 80 damaged IL
attacks on japanese bases.
On the other hand the communi
ques never described Allied losses a
more than slight or negligible il
the IL Japanese attacks on Allie,
baseA The Japanese were said +
tsee AUSTRALIA, page A-5D
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