DARWIN, FOCAL POINT OF DEFENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 4, 16 January 1942, Page 4

DARWIN, FOCAL POINT OF DEFENCE

WITH the war in the Pacific drawing* steadily closer to Australian shores, it is natural to note the prominence given to the northern Australian port of Darwin. Here a conglomerate collectipn of races helped to form a colourful settlement based upon the pearl fishing" industry which flourished and attained its apex immediately after the last war. The racial question, with the big percentage of Malay and Japanese fishermen, is a problem we can credit the Federal authorities with having well under control. Darwin, however remains strategically, the best existing point for operations against the growing menace of Japan. Garrison troops from the more fertile southern states have long been stationed there as a precautionary measure. America, all but landless in the Pacific now, turns immediately to Darwin as a future base from which to launch the vast counter movements now in the process of formulation. Fiom the hectic coloured township of two years ago, this most northern of Australian towns will shortly become the most important military jumping-off place in the South Seas. Her garrison, already augmented by fresh Australian divisions, will be greatly increased by the forthcoming influx of American troops, now acting in full co-operation with the Allied plan of offensive. It is admirably suited for modern wai purposes as a military and air base, while the naval forces will also have unrestricted cruising space and shelter in the islands offshore. The vast land mass of the Continent lies behind the settlement,, fading away in the dim haze to the low desert ranges, which are typical of the Northern Territory. This outpost is thousands of miles away from main populated areas, and thus they are safe enough while the buttress of defence survives. From an offensive point of view Darwin affords an admirable jumping-off place for raiding aircraft. It gives easy access to New Guinea, the Celebes, and the Dutch East Indies. It is in fact the nearest point of any White-man's country from the south to the present scene of Japanese action. For this reason alone it is worthy of heavy reinforcing. But as a base, from which major operations can be directed towards the coming offensive against Japan it will assume an importance which will ma.ke it the focal point of both Britain and America in the great part which Australasia will be called upon to play in the coming struggle, for Pacific domination.