The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-04-16

oOUlC AAlNlAShgAOAA OA WAAesv S.~@A " Se@ pected of them when the time comes for the Allied offensive in the south west Pacific.
 Australian Air Minister Arthur s. Drakeford called the raiders of the Philippines intelligent, cool-headed lads of the type of our British kins- men who defeated GerInany's air blitz on Britain many months ago."
 "They are bold of heart, vibrant In personality and ferbish implac- able patriots of great nation pose sessing planes capable of higher speeds, greater maneuverability and greater diving speeds than those ot the enemy" Drakeford said.
 Royce, who piloted one of the bombers for five hours en route to the secret base of operations in the Philippines, said that the undis- closed number of evacuees flown back to Australia from the Philip pines were chosen by Wainwright.
 "But most important from the aspect was the frightening effect on Japanese morale and the heartening effect on the Americans and FilipinoS who are still fighting strongly in the Philippines" he said. They know that their comrades are still doing their best to relieve them.
 we made one of our attacks on Davao synchronized with an attack by the American forces In Min- danao Island, and we dropped many bombs on Japanese troop concea- trations there.
 Japanese In Panic
 'Tt threw the Japanese into panic. We went over at dawn. You can Imagine their bewilderment when suddenly out of the sky there ap- oeared big bunch of bombers com ing down on them. They didn't know where the boHnbers came from and they used up the whole day trying to find out where We were coming from and the means to stop uS."
 Lieutenant Colonel John H. Da- vies, who piloted one of the bomb CTS, said the enemy anti-aircraft fire was heaviest over Davao, that there also Japanese Navy-O Zero planes consistently attacked.
 T turned on one of them," he said. T maneuvered alongside and we gave 1t a broadSide. Pieces hew from 1t. It fell apart in the air, and the pieces crashed all over"
 "The whole raid plan was drawn I'D by Gen. MacArthur and the staff," Royce said.
 "We left Saturday but the opera ton actually began Sunday.
 First we called at Batangas, on lower Luzon island. There we sank a transport. One of the flying fort resses went out hunting Japanese warships near Corregidor but 1t didn't find any so 1t dropped over to Nichols field near Manila and left its card in the form of a stick of bombs.
 "Also on Sunday morning, me- dium bombers went to Cebu with instructions to bomb transports and escorts.
 "Sunday afternoon we raided Cebu again and Davao for the first time.
 s'Monday morning we repeated the attacks on Cebu and Davao, and successfully bombed transports and installations.
 Plane Lost Monday
 eve lost our one plane Monday morning. IL had been grounded to have an engine changed. The Jap- anese radios had been burning up the ether for hours, trying to ind us.
 "They made five dive bombing at- tacks on the plane Sunday night and egiht more Monday morning.
 "They scored just one hit, but that set the bomber aflre.
 we met most of the opposition Monday.
 "Under existing conditions con- slider that the risks of the raid were fully justified"
 During all their attacks, the planes made but one at high level Yet despite the daring attacks al 2,O00 to 5000 feet only one of the l2 ships which made the round trir was hit, and it was not seriously damaged. It was at 2,000 feet al the time.
 Royce praised the performance oi all bomber crews and revealed that he piloted a bomber for five hours himself. He could not pilot during the actual attacks because he hae to maintain communication anc give directions to all ships.
 (The British radio, paying an en- thusiastic tribute to Royce, broad cast today an interview whict Royce gave 8 British broadcastinc correspondent five months ago while he was military attache al London.
 (In the interview, Royce said fly. ing Actresses would enable the U S. army air corps to bomb enemy bases from which offensives might be launched against United States forces).
 North American Praised
 Flyers who took part in the raic praised the brilliant performance of the flying fortresses and Nortt American B-25S under punishinl conditions and operating at long range.
 North American certainly de. serves & pat on the back for that ship" Davies said. "She'll give the Japs plenty of hell before the war; over"
 I talked to Davies, his young smiling co-pilot Lieut.. James Mo Afee, Charlotte, N. O., and hi smallish, deeply tanned, serioul navigator, Lieut.. William Clapp Long Beach, Calif., as they luxu' riated in & hotel, enjoying thor. oughly the showers, hot water slaves, breakfast and bed.
 "I'd sure like to hang around here while" said Clapp. but we'v' gotta get back up north and wir the war"
 Lanky, powerful Davis. loungec happily in bed, his bare feet stick a.. A-1.~a Ala nka ka6