DEEPER THRUST BY JAPANESE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 257, 29 July 1942, Page 5

DEEPER THRUST BY JAPANESE

• New Guinea Units MAY BE COVERING AIR BASE Double Strategy 1 (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, July 28. The Japanese again raided Townsville early this morning. A single enemy flying-boat Avas picked : 'up by searchlights and driven off by anti-aircraft fire, and its bombs were jettisoned harmlessly. This is reported in' today’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters. Darwin was also raided last night by a small force of from three to five enemy planes. No damage and no casualties are reported. Allied planes yesterday continued to attack Gona (near Buna), where the Japanese landed on the Papuan coast - a week ago, and Douglas “Dauntless” dive-bombers blew up an ammunition : dump. Our planes also made two strong attacks on Koepang, in Timor, ! and direct hits were scored on the aerodrome and adjoining barracks and 1 shelters, starting fires. Today’s communique reveals that the enemy advance forces have now penetrated 55 miles from the coast. They have again been tin contact with the Allied patrols at Oivi, east of Kokoda, on the track from Buna to Port Moresby. Objective Not Clear. The objective of the enemy penetration so far inland is not yet clear. However, in view of the difficult country ahead it i? generally considered highly improbable taht the Japanese intend an immediate direct overland attack on Port Moresby. More likely to the purpose is that they have fanned out to protect an aerodrome to be established in the Gona area near Buna as a base for fighter interception of the Allied bombers attacking their south-west Pacific strongholds, and from which to concentrate heavier bombing attacks on Port Moresby. The enemy nuisance raids on Darwin and Townsville are regarded as merely of a diversionary nature, though they may soon develop to more formidable proportions. Gona, after six days of heavy Allied air attacks, is thick with bombcraters. The Allied claims to have caused considerable- damage in the area are generally regarded as conservative. Attack as Reply. The “Sydney Morning Herald” declares that the Japanese strategy in the south-west Pacific hinges on his main southward base —-Rabaul. The occupation of Gona is seen as an offen-sive-defensive move, designed primarily to protect Rabaul from our attacks, though it may quickly assume a more serious direct offensive character. “We have every good ground for feeling as uneasy about the northern coast of New Guinea as do the Americans about the enemy’s toeholds in the outer Aleutian Islands,” says the “Herald.” “The proper riposte from us is obvious. It has long been evident that the Allied forces in Australia must hold New Guinea if their designed task is not to become much more difficult. To throw the Japanese out of Rabaul will doubtless require large-scale operations now that the enemy has had ample time to fortify himself there, but the effort demanded will be still greater if he is allowed to consolidate auxiliary bases over a wide region of the New Guinea mainland. , “The need is for the creation of an aggressive front in the south-west Pacific.” AFTER SEA BATTLES Enemy Reconsolidated (By Telegraph.—Press Assn— Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, July 28. “Japan has recousolidated its forces in the south-west Pacific since the Coral Sea and Midway battles, and Australians must conform with the requirements of a nation in deadly peril,” declared the Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, today. “I tell the Australian na’tion in the coldest and most plain terms,” he said, “that it can thank its lighting forces and those of our allies for the state of affairs that exists today in this Commonwealth, in which so many of our people can live without fearing an enemy in the night. “The fighting forces still have their daily task bf defending the country and fighting the enemy. They must carry on. Upon them depends success or failure of the Japanese objective, and were they to wilt our dangers would be greatly increased.” Commenting on a Tokio report of sinkings in Australian waters, Mr. Curtin said, “What Tokio says in respect to the war is what an enemy would say. The Allied Headquarters tell the public how the war is going.” While Japan was reconsolidating its forces Australia had not been idle, but the Government would not be satisfied till it bad achieved the absolute maximum. “More work aud less play will pay dividends in national security,” Mr. Curtin said, “and less argument about the amount of taxes aud profits and a little more concentration upon service would be a good investment. CALL BY PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND SYDNEY, July 27. A call for an Allied offensive in the south-west Pacific has been made by the Premier of Queensland, Mr. Forgan Smith, commenting on the Japanese raid on Townsville. Much had been written and talked about the necessity for a second front in Europe, lie said, but tiie front which jx-ople in Australia were most, concerned about was tiie defence of Australia and New Zealand. The whole war situation would be materially altered in this area if we were able to take the initiative by offensive action, lie declared.

TOJO’S LATEST Australia Isolated

NEW YORK, July 27. Tokio radio quoted the Prime Minister, General Tojo, as saying that the Axis was shortly joining up to mete out the final blow to the common enemies. “Australia is now completely isolated and io hopelessly awaiting reinforcements from America,” be added. “If she persists in her useless resistance there is no need to reiterate that Japan will show no mercy in ,crushing her.”