Evening star., 1943-03-04
Convoy Defeat Eases New jap Threat
Continued From First Page J


that "Merciful Providence must have
guarded us in this great victory"
The enemy transports and war
ships represented an estimated ton
mage of 10000 tons.
"All are sunk or sinking" the COM
munique said. His lthe enemy's)
air coverage of this naval force has
been decimated and dispersed, SIS OF
his planes having been shot out OF
combat and many others damaged
His ground forces. estimated at prob
ably $4,000. destined to attack in
New Guinea, have been sunk or
killed almost to man.
The action was executed brilliantly
under extreme weather hazards and
extended from the Vitlaz Straits,
between the Bismarck Archipelago
and the New Guinea coast, south to
Huon Gulf on which the japanese
bases of Lac and Salamaua are situ-
ated. The convoy started from Ra-
baul, New Britain. and originally
consisted of IA ships. Eight more
vessels joined it yesterday shortly
before the final, concentrated Allied
attack.
First Attacked Tuesday.
The convoy was first attacked
Tuesday. Yesterday, when the last
of the % ships was turned into a
burning. listing hulk. more than 100
tons of bombs had been dropped by
the Allied airmen. and, as the COM
munique said, "the entire force was
practically destroyed
Our air force in all categories
constantly attacked throughout the
day and ship after ship was again
and again hit with heavy bombs
from low attitudes" the commu-
nique related.
Enemy air coverage became
weaker and weaker; his forces more
scattered and dispersed; and finally
his remnants, isolated and bewild
cred, were gradually annihilated by
our successive air formations as we
sent them into combat.
Our losses were light, one bomb
er and three fighters shot down and
a number of others damaged, but
returned to base
Our decisive success cannot fail
to have the most important results
on the enemy's strategic and tactical
plans. His campaign for the time
being at least is completely dislo-
Gated"
Constant Assault on Lac.
While formation after formation
hammered the convoy yesterday, at
tack units kept up constant as
sault on the enemy airdrome at
Lac, dive bombing and strafing the
field and engaging in combat with
any japanese flyers able to leave
the ground Seven of these Jap
anese planes were shot out of the
fight, bringing to 62 the number of
enemy aircraft destroyed or prob
ably destroyed in the battle against
the convoy and connected actions.
A Flying Fortress on reconnais-
sance over Huon Gulf off Lac last
evening reported dramatically:
Three cargo ships and two de-
stroyers, one large and one small,
sighted burning from 5000 feet
remaining as last vestige of 22-ship
convoy All cargo ships on fire,
smoke rising 5000 feet. Large de-
stroyer moving slowly, heavy slick
pouring from stern. Small destroy
er low in water; hole seen on water
line, starboard side"
A message from another Fortress
late yesterday said:
"l1any lifeboats and japanese in
water. Many dead and much wreck
age. Sighted cargo ship going
under"
Thorough Preparation.
A spokesman, discussing the bat
tie, said "our air losses were SO
small because of the planes, the
pilots and the breaks-plus thor
ough PREPARATION
The convoy started out behind a
thick weather front rolling south
ward on New Guinea, but it was
sighted by air scouts and Allied
squadrons were prepared.
American and Australian pilots
took off in some of the most fearful
storms seen in the New Guinea area
since the war began, crossed the
teracherous mountains of New
Guinea to find the convoy and return
safely The weather lifted some
what yesterday, permitting the final,
concentrated assault in the Bismarck
Sea-.
Observation of some phases of the
battle was SO difficult that detailed
reports are still confused, but it was
indicated that five ships were sunk
or badly damaged Tuesday and IS
enemy planes destroyed or probably
destroyed.
Consolidated Catalina flying boats
kept the convoy under watch early
Wednesday and bombed large de-
stroyer or cruiser.
Ships Set Afire.
In mid-morning yesterday, A-2O
Douglas Havocs attacked at mast
height, setting two 6,OOO-ton cargo
ships and one 8,OO0-tonner afire.
They also hit two more 6,OOO-ton
transports and saw a small cargo
ship about $50 feet long explode in
one blast
BPS North American Mitchells
about the same time, firing 1,7OO
rounds of ammunition, hit de-
stroyer which rolled over and sank.
They also sank a 5000 ton cargo
ship which went down in two min
utes, scored two hits on another
5,000-ton ship which stopped and
began to settle, and laid two more
bombs on an 8,000-ton transport
which was left burning flercely.
The Mitchells also hit 3,O00-to ton
cargo ship which began to smoke
| heavily, left a 5000 to 5000 ton
transport in sinking condition.
scored two hits on another 5,OOO-ton
ship and two hits on a large de-
stroyer which billowed smoke up
/ ! 500 feet A new fire was started