ALLIED BOMBS ON SOLOMONS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 289, 4 September 1942, Page 5

ALLIED BOMBS ON SOLOMONS

Lull In Land Fighting At Kokoda DIFFICULT JUNGLE

(By Telegraph. —Press Assn. —Copyright-) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received September 3, 11.45 p.m.)

SYDNEY, September 3. Bombers of General MacArthur’s command struck a violent blow against the Japanese in the northern Solomons on Wednesday. Five tons of bombs were dropped on airfields, runways and installations at Buka. A destroyer was also attacked, but the results were not observed. Other Allied aircraft made offensive sweeps in the New Guinea area, bombing and strafing enemy positions at Kokoda and the aerodrome at Lae. The Japanese did not retaliate against these attacks. Their air force in the south-west Pacific was completely inactive. Today’s communique also reports a lull in the land, fighting in the Kokoda sector. Some reports say that the enemy is moving troops from Salamaua toward Kokoda. The enemy’s thrusts toward the Kokoda gap, which crosses the Owen Stanley ranges at a height of 7000 ft., are regarded as reconnaissances in force along a fairly broad front, The enemy is endeavouring to find a weak point in our defences, but there is no indication of any brea,k in the Allied lines, which have now been held against the Japanese for more than a month.

The enemy still have a climb of about 4000 ft. in the world’s most difficult jungle country to reach the gap, and while intensification of his efforts can bo expected, the number of troops involved here is limited.

Reports from Milne Bay merely state that Australian troops are continuing to “round up isolated enemy detachments in the jungle.” Lull at Buka Broken.

Wednesday's Allied raid on Buka, which was regarded as the next probable objective in the American drive in the Solomons, broke the lull in that sector. Buka is about 475 miles northwest of Tulagi, and 200 miles southeast of the main Japanese south Pacific base, Rabaul. It is expected that the present stalemate position in the 'Solomons cannot long continue and the opposing forces must soon join in a major battle. Before the Japanese menace to Australia and New Zealand from the east is removed, it is felt here that Buka and then Rabaul must be captured. This would, entail smashing Japanese naval power in the south Pacific and would leave the way open for drives against the enemy’s more northerly Pacific bases in the mandated (Marshall and Caroline Islands.

Observers warn that each successive step of the way will present increased difficulties and prove increasingly costly in men, ships and aircraft. To forestall Allied blows against Buka and Rabaul the Japanese must make urgent efforts to reduce Port Moresby. Heavier action in the New Guinea sector must soon be expected. A move by either side is likely to be quiddy followed by the greatest sea and air battle of the war.