The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1943-03-04
Victory
Continued from Page One

from Rabaul, New Britain, and
originally consisted of IA ships
Eight more vessels joined il yes
terday shortly before the final,
concentrated allied attack.
BEGAN TUESDAY
The convoy was first attack
ed Tuesday. Yesterday, when
the last of the % ships was turn
cd into a burning, listing hulk,
more than 100 tons of bombs
had been dropped by the allied
airmen. and, as the communique
said, the entire force was
practically destroyed"
Our air force in all categorles
constantly attacked throughout
the day and ship otter ship was
again and again hit with heavy
bombs from low attitudes" the
communique related.
Enemy air coverage became
weaker and weaker; his forces
more scattered and dispersed;
and finally his remnants, iso-
lated and bewildered, were
gradually annihilated by our
successive air formations as we
sent them into combat.
"Our losses were light, one
bomber 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 dislocated."
While formation after forma-
ton hammered the convoy yes
terday, attack units kept up a
constant assault on the enemy
airdrome at Lac, dive-bombing
and strafing the field and en-
gaging in combat with any
japanese filters able TO leave the
ground. Seven of these Japanese
planes were shot out of the fight,
bringing to 81 the number of
enemy aircraft destroyed or
probably destroyed in the battle
against the convoy and connect
ed actions.
A flying fortress on recon-
Nuisance over Huon Gulf off
Lac last evening reported dra-
matically: Three cargo ships
and two destroyerS, 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 destroy
err moving slowly, heavy slick
pouring from stern. Small de-
stroyer low in water; hole seen
on waterline, starboard side
A message from another for
tress late yesterday said:
Many lifeboats and Japanese
in water. Many dead and much
wreckage. Sighted cargo ship
going under"
A spokesman, discussing the
battle, said "our air losses were
so small because of the planes,
the pilots and the breaks -
plus thorough preparation"
The convoy started out behind
a thick weather front rolling
southwark upon New Guinea,
but it was sighted by air scouts
and allied squadrons were pre-
pared.
American and Australian pi-
lots took off in some of the
most fearful storms seen in the
New Guinea area since the war
began, crossed the treacherous
mountains of New Guinea to
find the convoy and return
safely The weather lifted some
what Wednesday, permitting the
final, concentrated assault in the
Bismarck Sea.
CONFUSED REPORTS
Observation of some phases of
the battle was so difficult that
detailed reports are still con-
fused. 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 morn
ing and bombed large destroy