NAVAL SIDE FURTHER EMPHASIZED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 284, 29 August 1942, Page 7

NAVAL SIDE FURTHER EMPHASIZED

. Battle Of The Pacific (Received August 28, 7 p.m.)

NEW YORK, August 27.

A Pacific showdown seems at hand, says the military and naval writer of the "New York Times," Mr. Hanson Baldwin, when commenting on the Solomons campaign, “which may alter the finely-drawn balance of power in the Pacific, thus affecting the entire course of the war in the Pacific theatre."

Mr. Baldwin explains that it is clear the marines and navy are tenaciously clinging to the footholds on Guadalcanal and the other islands- of the southern Solomons, while the American air force is operating from one or more of the recently-conquered fields. “This is a big asset, enhanced by the proximity of the Solomons to other Allied bases in' Australia, the New Hebrides, New Caledonia, and elsewhere, from which long-range bombers are supporting our naval forces.” he says. "The fact that both sides are throwing considerable naval forces into action stresses the strategic importance, of the battle because the Solomons and Dieppe have proved that invasion and occupation are possible only if naval superiority can be maintained, therefore the Japanese air attacks on Guadalcanal and the abortive Japanese landing attempts are considerably less important than the naval clash.”

Concluding, Mr. Baldwin says the Solomons may be a preface to other action elsewhere. Since June, when Japan chose Midway and the Hawaiian Islands as her objective, she-has not struck anywhere until now, but the Japanese do not entertain a passive concept of war. The Coral Sea Battle preceded the Midway clash—the Solomons may precede an attempt against Hawaii unless its successive defeats have depleted the Japanese navy too greatly. Japanese “Face.”

"Face” Is not the least important of Japan’s reason’s for seeking a quick naval decision in the Solomons and for the fresh offensive moves, declares Major Fielding Eliot, the New York “Herald Tribune’s” military commentator, in analysing Japan’s motives for counter-attacking. He says that the successful attack in the Solomons has undoubtedly had a great effect on all the Oriental people, among whom Japanese propaganda has been busy representing the Japanese as invincibly superior to all westerners. Further, the Japanese needs in other theatres, such as the contemplated attack on Russia and India, may call for a quick reversal of the situation in the Solomons.

"The Japanese may feel that our lodgment in the Solomons, obviously only the first step of an offensive directed against the enemy bases in New Guinea and New Britain, must be eliminated before they have a free hand for a major effort elsewhere,” he writes. "They may have reason to believe that the relative naval situation in the Solomons is more favourable to them now than it will be later if the Japanese decide to risk the whole or the major part of their fleet in an attempt to recover the lost ground in the Solomons. Their decision has been reached after carefully weighing all the factors." ,

JAPANESE REPORT Loss Of Ship Admitted (Received August 28,11.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 27. A Japanese Imjierial headquarters communique broadcast from Tokio stated: “Japanese naval units on August 24 engaged United States naval reinforcements east of the Solomons. Imperial air units immediately attacked and dealt heavy losses and repulsed the enemy. The result ascertained to August 27 is: First, severe damage to one large aircraft-carrier of a new type; secondly, damage to another carrier of medium size; thirdly, damage to a battleship of the Pennsylvania type. The Japanese casualties comprise the loss of one destroyer and one small carrier damaged, Tiie engagement has been officially designated the second battle of the Solomons,” This is the first Axis announcement since the new phase of the Solomons naval battle began and the first word of a Japanese ship being sunk. While the United States communiques announced hits on at least 12 Japanese warships, including large and small carriers, no claim of a sinking was made. There is no report from Washington of United States losses.