Evening star., 1943-03-19
Jap Concentrations
Al Dozen Points Hit
In Wide Allied Raids
Stronghold Of Mudong,
In New Guinea, Main
Torget Of Bombers
Ry tkf ASeociated Pres!

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
AUSTRALIA, March 19.-In the
most widespread aerial sweep
against japanese concentrations
ever launched in the Southwest
Pacific area, Gen. Douglas Mac
Arthur sent his bomberS on dam
aging raids yesterday against
more than a dozen points where
the japanese are building up
concentrations, an Allied COM
munlque said today.
Big Allied bombers ranged from
Timor to Salamaua. New Guinea.
and Gasmata, New Britain. hitting
everything they could find. but they
concentrated on the Japanese
strongpoint of Madang in New
Guinea.
Three separate sweeps were made
at Madang between FinSchafen and
Salamaua and more than 38 tons
Of bombs were poured on the Japa-
nese stronghold. the communique
said. Long-range fighters thor
oughly strafed the whole area" it
added.
They left the little village in fam
ing ruins with supply and ammuni-
ton dumps shooting up flames Wis
ible more than 60 miles away.
Many Different Points Hit.
The Allies have made more dam
aging raids in this area, but never
have they hit so many different
points during a 24-hour period
The japanese offered air opposition
only over Amboina and New Ire
land
A heavily -armored Liberator
bomber on reconnaissance over
Amboina found itself trapped by
10 japanese fighters. The bomber
definitely destroyed four of the enc
my planes, probably destroyed two
more and damaged one. The Lib
orator returned home damaged but
victorious.
Over Kavieng, New Ireland.
Zero attempted to intercept a Fly
ing Fortress on reconnaissance. but
was shot out of action, the COM
munique said. Other reconnais-
sance planes over the Rabaul area
in New Britain reported that fires
started Wednesday night were still
burning yesterday.
Attack planes bombed and strafed
buildings and supplies along the
New Guinea shore at Salamaua and
started many fires. it was an
nounced. Long range fighters re-
turning from the attack on Madang
also strafed and set fire to Japa-
nese headquarters and caused dam
age to other buildings. the commu-
nique reported.
A new japanese concentration
point was mentioned in the COM
for the first time-the Vitu
Islands, north of Talasea, New Brit |
ain. A Flying Fortress bombed the |
and a number of barges |
1t Garove, on the islands, the COM |
nunique said.
A heavy bomber attacked the vii
age Of Timika in Dutch New
julnea, causing explosions and
iamage, and night bombers raided
he alrdrome at Penfoei on Timor
sland, the communique reported
The enemy occupied town of Lang
.oer on the Kai Islands was again
'ombed. Buka, Kieta and Kahili
n the Solomons were attacked in
prolonged night raid, it was an
iounced.
Talasea and Cape Gloucester in
lew Britain were other targets and
coastal boat in the harbor of Lor-
ngau, Admiralty Islands, was at
acked.
Meanwhile a spokesman for the
lliled Southwest Pacific Command,
ommentlng on press dispatches
utting Japan's wartime CONNER
lal shipping losses at 1900, 900 tons.
aid that unfortunately this figure
must be placed against ATS 900 tons
Stlmated captured or otherwise OBJ
aimed from neutralS and non-bel-
igerents and 100000 tons of new
hlpping estimated built in Japan
lnce the outbreak of the war"
Inc spokesman said that despite
Ter losses Japan had shown no in
tcatlons Of any lack OF commercial /
shipping on the Southwest Pacific |
.ront and added that "menaclne |
concentrations of shipping are con- |
being reported by our air