PART IN FUTURE INITIATIVE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 280, 25 August 1942, Page 5

PART IN FUTURE INITIATIVE

Pacific Commandos

(By Telegraph.—'Press As&n. —Copyright.)

(Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received August 24, 8.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 24.

Allied commando operations against Japanese outposts in the Pacific are very much worthwhile, and military commentators in Australia believe that such hit-and-run sorties as the American raid on Makin in the Gilbert Islands must be an integral part of the Allies’ Pacific strategy’. These would have the effect of dispersing the Japanese strength, specially air-power, giving greater freedom of action to our forces engaged In the major occupying operations. Such raids would also tie down for defence purposes Japanese forces which might otherwise be concentrated for spearpoint attacks. The Japanese policy has been to dispose her strength round the perimeter of her conquests, believing that enemy naval forces cannot penetrate deeply into the Japaneseheld zone. This means that they must control a defence line of 8000 miles along the arc from Malaya to the Mariana Islands. “There must be many islands where raids can be undertaken with a reasonable hope of success, and where the Allied naval craft would have a fair chance against the enemy land-based aeroplanes and local garrisons." says the "Sydney Morning Herald’s’ military correspondent. “The Makin raid also shows that UH*’ element of surprise is possible even in areas where aerial reconnaissance Ot the sea routes might be expected, he tv - tin ties. "The attack on Makin was iarlv audacious in view of the possibility of heavv aerial interception from Jaluit Island,'which is wily 300 miles. away in the Marshalls.” Military experts point out that npatt from the damage inflicted in specific raids the ever-present possibility of sudden attacks by Allied guerrilla . forces must affect morale in the small, iso atul Japanese garrisons. ‘“A", seen as a pointer to the United Nations future course of action iu the 1 acilic. a series of such raids would prove a serious distraction to the Japanese attemptsto repulse the major Allied offensive which began with the attacks in the feo.o-

nions. Ships at Italian!. The reported concentrations ol enemy shipping nt Itabaul may indicate that Japan is about to launch the expected major drive against the American forces in ‘tile Tulagi area, though some observers suggest that the concentration is intended for a counter-blow against tort •‘The Japanese losses in the So.oinons have done little to weaken their hold on the islands north of Australia.' says the Sydney “Daily Telegraph's" war correspondent. “They have been strengthening their positions on the New- Guinea mainland, where they appear to be firmly entrenched." The same correspondent foresees a possibility that the Allies may forestall any Japanese move by an early direct attack on Itabaul. Significance is attached here to the arrival in America of I.ieut.General Brett and Air Commodore Goddard. Allied land-based aircralt are admitted to have played a vital n.le in the early stages of the Solo mons offensive, and it is hoped that joint consultations between the American authorities and the two , south-west Pacific air chiefs may result in an accentuated air offensive in this theatre. '