Evening star., 1942-07-27

| ! ITO StO " UuS SuUQltSu u u
Tribune tUhose foreign correspond
American neiDsp1permdn aboard t.
Coral Sea Battle. This story ,Dds
the request OF tdDal censors Uho
the japanese ,Dar effort In the p
preliminary movements OF the Am
sinking OF enemy carriers and f
battered Lexington. This story tel
occupied ports in Northern Neto Gu
out by Consolidated Catalinas and
land-based long-range bombers that
| followed the sea routes, avoided
combat and continually hid in cloud
cover, to escape japanese eyes.
When the Lexington and another
carrier under Vice Admiral Wilson
Brown appeared in New Guinea
waters the Arny's intelligence units
passed on their information.
"The admiral decided we could
do something about this situation
and asked the flying men with him
to figure something out" 1t. Comdr
Weldon Hamilton, who commanded
the dive bombers from the Lexing-
ton In the raid, told me a few
weeks after 1t was over. And so
we got our charts and dope on
New Guinea.
1--WE found a curious picture. II
we followed the coast around to
Lac and Salamaua from Port Mores-
by, we would have Travelled a good
1900 miles. But II we could fly al
most due north from Port Moresby,
and hop right over the mountains.
we would have to cover only 100
miles.
THE catch. of course. was the
fact that the mountains were as
high as 10000 feet. Furthermore,
there were no charts-and I mean
absolutely none at all--that ac-
curately showed the mountains of
that wild inland country. Remem-
Der, most of it has never been trod
by q white man. The black tribes
there are among the most ferocious
| fighters found. They fashion stone
axes and make knives out Of human
leg bones, and absolutely are back
in one of the primitive ages. They're
the kind Of savages that pierce their
noses with rings and 60 almost
naked"
Such were the problems. Never
theless it was decided to 60 ahead
regardless of the risks.
Il had read many books on Pa
pua," Comdr. Hamilton continued,
"and while we were flying I re-
member speculating to myself upon
the cannibal tribes living there
below us and watching for the neat
appearing clearings and their
thatched village huts that stood out
against the heavy dark greens of
the jungle.
Nothing But Jungle.
"Our first IS miles inland was A
twisting course over heavily tim
bered, steep mountain sides. The
peaks rose on all sides of us right
into the heavy clouds around them.
At first had been picking spots
where I might have made q land
ing If engine trouble developed. But
now there was nothing but jungle
to see. not a place for an emer-
gency landing anywhere.
II took a good look around at our
planes-strung out at an interval
that was planned to allow each
group plenty OF skyroom-and re-
member thinking how petty and
tribal wars in that New Guinea
jungle were compared to the one In
which we were engaged. also
wondered what those savages who
saw us must have thought at seeing
such number of great rumbling
birds. I'll never know, of course
but the thought amused me at the
time.
While we were still Is miles away
from Salamaua Harbor we could see
the shipping lying at anchorage, .
1t. Comdr. Jimmy Thach, who led
the Lexington's fighter units that
day. recalled in telling OF the raid
The land fell rapidly away beneath
us. and we came down in a long
fast dive.
Motor Noise First Warning.
Our motor noise must have
warned the Japs, because We could
see them begin to scramble before
we got In. Instead of remaining
behind to try to protect the un-
armed merchant ships, the Jap YES
sells. As they always do. slipped
their cables and tried to head out
into the open sea. They seem to
leave the crews of the transports
and auxiliary vessels to shift for
themselves whenever an air attack
is made"
The fighters and torpedo planes
came down first. in accordance with
timing worked out in advance. The
torpedo planes picked out the
largest transports and cruisers for
their attentions, and the, fighters
went roaring around the harbor
looking for Japanese defense planes
I'VE were such a surprise to
them,' said 1t. Noel Gayler, one OF
the fighter pilots, that there was
only one Jappie airplane in the
air. He was seaplane fighter
with the rear gunner, and must
say he was a good little fellow. Lots
OF CUTS.
He went after our torpedo
planes that were down almost on
the water, famed out to take in a
number OF different targets. And
he was doing a good job He slid
in and out among them. forcing
some to bank away. and firing hi.
front and rear guns in ali directions
His harassing was one Of the bests. >
I remember my own surprise at