THE SOLOMONS BATTLE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 19, 30 October 1942, Page 4

THE SOLOMONS BATTLE

ALL is not well in the Solomons, the island base from which the Japanese hoped to launch their anticipated invasion of Australia, the key position which would dominate the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji and Penrhyn and render New Zealand open to uninterrupted attack. That the island battle is not all that it might be may be gleaned from the reticence and meagreness of the Washington bulletins and radio broadcasts. We might as well be bold enough to look the facts in the face and prepare ourselves for possible eventualities, rather than be blind to them, in the hope that kindly fate will again intervene and remove the new dangers of Japanese invasion. Unless we are realists how can we expect to be in a position to meet grimmer eventualities should they ever be destined to come our way. The watch is on the Solomons where Japan smarting under the effects of a few minor reverses, (and that is all we can call the Milne Bay(, Owen Stanley and Gaudalcanar battles) has now marshalled her forces for a more serious attempt than ever before to break the allied grip The land or military position is comparatively safe in the hands of a gallant company of toughened jungle fighters, who may be said to have honestly called the Japanese bluff, in this direction. But it is the sea power which is dictating the course of present events. Devastating naval and mercantile losses in the Java Sea, at Midway and in the Coral Sea, have taught Japan a bitter lesson which she will not be prone to forget. To-day it is safe to assume that this Island Nation credited with the second largest navy in the world, and feverishly building more ships, has diverted to the South Pacific all the might of available ships which could be spared from other fronts and occupied territories, in a grand effort to once more restore her standing and prestige, in the Orient. After such heavy losses in the past we can expect her to wage battle with greater care, and altered strategy. Boldness has cost her dearly at sea. To-day her ships have entered battle with a protective screen of aircraft, and their commanders vylll have learnt more of the art of manoeuvring. Escorting submarines have already been responsible for the loss of an American Aircraft Carrier, while two destroyers must also go to the credit of the enemy. We might as well realise that unless an important divertionary movement can be made by the Allies, either by way of the much talked of offensive in Burma,, or a naval thrust from the Aleutians,, or better still, a further taste of air-bombing on Japan itself, the position in the Pacific hangs in the balance, as never before. The successes of Australian and American forces have had the result of bringing down into those waters a large and growing section of Nippons sea, and land forces, and Japanese character has shown that movements such as these are not usually made for nothing. Undoubtedly the belligerent Togo, has set the red chalk-mark against the British possessions in the South Pacific as the next objective for the Japanese octopus and will spare no effort in order to maintain his procession of 'victories' for announcement to the Japanese public. It is this aspect which should be borne in mind when an at-i tempt is made to belittle the campaign as, small, distant and of no direct importance to the Dominion of New Zealand.