Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 14 December 1942, page 6


JAPANESE RAID

CHITTAGONG

Stung By Allied

Bombing

OUR WAR CORRESPONDENT,

H. A. STANDISH.

CALCUTTA, Dec. 13.-The Japanese air raid on Chittagong on Thursday, the second within a week, shows clearly that the enemy's air command in Burma has been stung into activity by the United Nations' consistent bombing of Burma's airflelds and other strategic points.

On this occasion the Japanese came over in at least the same strength as

they used last Saturday, possibly test-Ing the strength of our defences in that area and trying to hamper any

preparations for further Allied ad-

vances along the coast towards Akyab.

The Japanese again got a hot re-ception, Hurricane interceptors and anti-aircraft fire not only shooting

down at least three raiders, but also

breaking up and diverting the enemy formations so effectively that the bombing was wild and casualties and

damage light.

This follows the pattern of the pre-vious raid, when eye-witnesses esti-mated that 90 per cent, of the bombs fell in the river and paddy fields, and the raiders, after this ineffective un-loading of their bomb loads, sheered off hurriedly. Calcutta has now come to regard Chittagong as its aerial front line and

hopes that efficient interception of enemy aircraft there will prevent the long-expected attempts io bomb this |

city.

(«on* Cop.rlcrnl »wn:( )

I Australian Associated Piess.i

The New Delhi communique says ' thai R..A.F. Blenheims, escorted by fighters, successfully attacked the track, rolling-stock, and buildings st the Mandalav railway yards. No fighters were encountered, but theie , was anti-aircraft fire over the tarje* i Othei Blenheims attacked, lollint-.

stock and the railway at Naba June-1 tion. and a stationary train at Naya-1 kaung, south of Noba.. None of our i aiicrtift Is missing. I