CONFIDENCE IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 282, 27 August 1942, Page 5

CONFIDENCE IN AUSTRALIA

Naval Showdown BATTLE OF SOUTH PACIFIC (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received August 26, 11.30 p.rn.) SYDNEY, August 26. Australia echoes the American confidence that the battle which has now been joined in the Solomon Islands, will result in another Pacific victory for the United Nations. The action had been expected since the beginning of the Allied offensive in the area three weeks ago, and observers here are gratified that Japan has been forced into a naval showdown with the control of the south Pacific as the prize. It is emphasized, however,' that against a strong and resolute enemy, a victory cannot be won without losses. A defeat is not talked of, but it is realized that the consequences of such an outcome might be disastrous. The heavy air blows, mainly against the enemy bases at Rabaul and Gasmata, which have been struck by aircraft of the South-west Pacific Command indicate that General MacArthur’s forces have been co-operating .in the present action by disrupting the passage of Japanese supplies, particularly air reinforcements. The presence of an enemy convoy with warships and transports off the south-east tip of New Guinea leads to the conclusion that the enemy has planned intensified activity in this sector as a supplementary diversion to their Solomons counter-offensive, and the fact that the Japanese fighters, fortunately destroyed, were ready to operate from an aerodrome in the Buna area supports this belief. Action May Spread. The present action appears likely to opread beyond Solomon Islands waters, and Australian observers expect increased activity in the sectors of New Guinea and elsewhere north of Australia before the battle for (he south Pacific is decided. Heavier enemy pressure on Port Moresby is foreseen. The fact that the enemy has thrown battleships into the iSolomons action suggests that they came from a large force probably based on Truk, in the Caroline Islands 1200 miles distant. Truk is the main enemy naval base in the central Pacific and has been the gathering place for most of Japan’s major southward aggressive forces. Satisfaction Is expressed that the Japanese are being hit hard in their most valuable and vulnerable type of warships—aircraft-carriers. Of 11 carriers which they had in commission at the outbreak of the war six have been sunk, while the latest Washington communique brings the total reported damaged to four. GUADALCANAL IS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, August 26. The concentration of the Japanese on Guadalcanal in their counter-attack in the Solomon Islands ■ as reported today is not surprising, according to information given by the Rev. A. 11. Voyce, a Methodist missionary who recently returned to New Zealand after spending many years in the islands. The Solomons were still not very well known, said Mr. Voyce, and there were many misconceptions and geographical mis-statements which still crept in even in the Washington messages. Referring to the present scene of operations, Mr. Voyce said that the eastern, or leeward, side of Guadalcanal Island was fiat. Aerodromes could easily be built aud certainly had been by the Japanese, aud presumably they were now in use by flte Allies. The windward side of the island was too .steep for airfields. Tulagi Island, facing Guadalcanal, had a useful harbour, but this was very far from being in the Sydney or Auckland class, Mi-. Voyce said. He instanced statements which have been made in recent messages regarding the actions in the Solomons reflecting the lack of knowledge of the geography and topography of this great group of Islands.