ENEMY FAILURE TO SURPRISE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 283, 28 August 1942, Page 5

ENEMY FAILURE TO SURPRISE

Main Force Believed Intercepted MARINES’ SPIRITS

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.- -Copyright.)

(Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received August 27, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 27.

The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” suggests that the fact that the enemy force approached its objectives from the north-east supports the ‘belief that the enemy came from a rendezvous somewhere in the Caroline group, probably Truk. Prom there the Japanese are believed to have’swung wide to the east and then turned south-west attempting to escape detection by American reconnaissance planes. The enemy’s hope of making a surprise raid, however, was not realized, and it is believed the enemy’s main force was intercepted before reaching the immediate vicinity of the Solomons. •American observers note that President Roosevelt was in an extremely good mood during bis Press conference today, which they believe was due to the “pleasant reading” of the more detailed reports of the battle reaching him. The American forces of occupation in the Solomons are in good spirits, and they deride the Japanese claims of victory, according to Mr. Sherman Montrose, an American correspondent who accompanied the successful marine units and spent two days ashore. “We are all laughing about the Japanese claim to have sunk 25 ships,’ 'he states. “Even though the news is scarce hereabouts, we got that over the radio.” The rain and heat have produced oppressive weather conditions in the wild jungle-covered islands, said Mr. Montrose. Japan’s all-out bid to retake the -Solomons is interpreted as conclusive proof that she attaches the greatest importance to Tulagi and the surrounding area. One military expert writes, "The American possession of these bases' represents a springboard from which the Allies can invade and recapture positions in , New Britain and New Guinea as the preliminary to an all-out drive north to Japan itself. If the Japanese retake the Solomons they will be provided again with a springboard from which to attempt further advances southward to the New Hebrides and New Caledonia in order to isolate Australia and New Zealand.”