MORE U.S. SHIPS IN PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 26, 26 October 1942, Page 5

MORE U.S. SHIPS IN PACIFIC

Observers’ Belief FORESTALLING ENEMY thrust

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received October 25, 10.30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, October 25.

No fresh action has occurred in the Solomons area, states the latest United States Navy communique. Conflicting assessments of the situation are proffered by various observers. However, the suggestion is widely made that the American Pacific Fleet has been considerably strengthened to meet anticipated Japanese thrusts. Itis stated that the announcements of the commissioning of the two great British battleships, the Anson and the Howe, and of the presence of at least three battleships and an aircraftcarrier iu the Indian Ocean have no doubt followed a general reallocation of the United Nations’ naval forces. David Laurence, in the New Yofk “Sun,” says that the commissioning of the Anson and the Howe should enable the release of American capital ships from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and he suggests that news of the commissioning was not released till the move had been completed. „ Foster Hailey, the.“ New York Times Honolulu' correspondent, replying to the question, i ‘\V’here is the United (States Fleet?” says that the Japanese operate behind a thick screen of submarines through which opposing surface. ships must pass. With naval power in the Pacific so finely balanced, the Americans cannot afford to run risks. The American magazine News ot tile Week" declares: “The struggle for mastery in the Pacific is more involved and more subtly fought than the public realizes. A process of feint and counterfeint has been going on since Pearl Harbour, with both sides wary of falling into trans.” ~ The New York “Herald-Tribunes Washington correspondent, estimating the number of enemy troops on Guadalcanal at between 20,000 and 25,000, Suggests a contributory reason for delay in the enemy’s laud offensive may be that United States planes from Henderson airfield are preventing the Japanese from establishing a regular supply hue to their chief beach head, Cape Esperance, on the northern side of the island. Japan's Ambitions.

The London “Daily Mail’s” Washington correspondent believes that Japan s ambitions in an imminent offensive go much further than the recapture of the south-eastern Solomons. He says the indications are that the enemy is planning to bear down on other Allied strongpoints further south, to pave the way for an all-out offensive against Australia. The Sydney “Sun" writer also suggests that the audacious Japanese strategy may be to strike at New Caledonia, which is garrisoned by strong American forces. “New Caledonia would be no end in itself.” he says. “It is a logical operational springboard for an .attack on New Zealand and Australia.’* However, it is the contrary opinion ot most military experts that the oceuphtiou of New Caledonia will be the Japanese “end in itself.” Coupled with the occupation of file New Hebrides and probably Fiji, it would favourably position Japum ese naval forces to cut the American supply lines to Australia and New Zeaiaiid, neutralizing these countries as offensive bases without invasion. It is authoritatively accepted that the occupation of New Guinea, tile New Hebrides. New Caledonia, and Fiji, has always been tin integral part of Japan's I’aeifie strategy —and her failure to occupy these islands is the measure of her failure iu tile Pacific war.