N.Z. PILOTS IN SOLOMONS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 17, 15 October 1942, Page 5

N.Z. PILOTS IN SOLOMONS

Will Help To Hold Islands JAP AIR PROBLEM WASHINGTON, October 13. New Zealand pilots are with the American forces in the Solomons, announced Rear-Admiral John McCain, who has returned from the Solomons zone to head the naval Bureau of Aeronautics. Admiral McCain made this statement at the Secretary of the Navy’s Press conference. Apparently the New Zealanders have not yet been in action, since the admiral stated that thev were awaiting planes. He paid a tribute to the New Zealanders’ fighting qualities. [Referring to this message, the Prime Minister,. Mr. Fraser, last night said: “I confirm that New Zealand airmen are in the combat area and doing their part.”] "I think we have shown sufficient superiority in material and men to justify the assertion that we can hold the Solomons andi even expand our gains,” Admiral McCain said, speaking at a time when United States war commentators are emphasizing the seriousness of the Allies’ position in the islands. ■ Drain on Jap. Air Forces. Admiral McCain commanded the air scouting and striking forces, other than those carrier-based, in the Solomons area. His headquarters were on Espiritu Santo Island, in the New Hebrides, 565 miles from Guadalcanal. In one period from August 21 to September 17 the Japanese lost 133 planes over Guadalcanal Island, he

said. He had made two trips to Guadalcanal, and there was evidence that the Japanese were actually declining in aerial strength in, the Solomons area. He instanced the inferior types of planes now being used by the Japanese and their slownesj in replacing losses. Some of the biplanes and seaplanes used by the Japanese could never have been used unless the enemy was entirely regardless of human life or was running short of equipment. During the raid on September 13 several Japanese bombers and fighters were shot down. Examination of these planes showed that they were absolutely new and just off the assembly lines. The lacquer covering looked as if it hail been done only a few hours before. The rubber gaskets, which deteriorate quickly in the tropics, were not at all worn or cracked. But Admiral McCain added: “These things might indicate that the enemy was getting short of planes, but I would not count on it.”

Asked about the effectiveness of the American air attacks on the Japanese bases in the north-western Solomons, Admiral McCain replied that he thought the enemy's seaplane base at Rekata Bay, on Santa Isabel Island, had been rendered untenable, and the enemy base at Gizo was definitely untenable.

He said that no artillery had been used on Guadalcanal so far by the Japanese. 'The Japanese had landed four light guns, but they were, captured by United States marines before they could be used.