TWO BIG FLEETS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 35, 5 November 1942, Page 5

TWO BIG FLEETS

Awaiting New Clash In Solomons THREE JAPANESE CARRIERS (Received November 4, 9.10 p.tn.) NEW YORK, November 3. One of the most powerful fleets which the United States Navy, has ever sent to sea is now awaiting the Solomons showdown, but the Japanese are opposing them with an armada which is truly formidable in its proportions, according to a United Press correspondent, William Tyree, writing from South Pacific Headquarters on October 28.

“The fact that our fleet was able to drive off the enemy air and naval strength in the battle of October 26 is regarded as the most encouraging news of the last few weeks," he said, “but the fight is by no means over. I saw the Japanese fleet during a swift reconnaissance run in a Flying Fort-

ress over Bougainville (north Solomons), where it was then concentrated. “It included four extremely * modem 14-inch gun battleships, three aircraft-carriers, 10 cruisers, 18 destroyers, and nine transports. “It was the greatest concentration of Japanese warships reported since the Battle of Midway. “Tire Japanese know the size of our forces, and they realize that new equipment, aeroplanes, and other essentials have been flowing in during the last week for the Solomons showdown. Nevertheless, they appear - to be ready to take on everything we have in a fanatical attempt to recapture the Guadalcanal aerodrome.” UNWILLING TO GIVE BATTLE Papua Invaders Weakened (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, November 4. Japan’s New Guinea campaign has been expensive, particularly in aircraft, of which about 200 have been destroyed, while the. enemy’s hand-picked force of jungle fighters lias also been seriously de-

pleted. It is now revealed that the strong Allied forces which occupied Kokoda on Monday were not the first to enter this base since it was occupied by the Japanese on August 3. A number of our patrols have been active in the area during the past fortnight. On the night of October 25 a party of three Australians moved down from the northern foothills of the .Owen Stanley Ranges and entered an enemy camp beside the Kokoda airfield, ihey brought back valuable information. Veteran Australian troops who have fought in many theatres of war finally occupied the area without a shot being fired. This caused no surprise, since Kokoda is situated in flat, cultivated country, and is reckoned a difficult place to hold. Mesasge Front Blarney. From “somewhere in Australia,” General Blarney, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Land Forces in th' South-west Pacific, said that in fij weeks of strenuous effort, in which't enemy had been driven from,’ strongly prepared positions on jni occasions and in which he had . ' pursued relentlessly, the Japr were now driven out of the./ Stanley Ranges. “Our troops have recaptured foot of the ground lost and ar beyond Kokoda,” he said. “Tl‘ been accomplished by the resolv the commanders and the det tion of the Australian infant have fought day by day in m cult country, over high ridge.' deep gorges, in tropical heat : ‘The troops are full of vi; eager to close with the Japai no longer show any readiness them in battle.” REBUFFS FOR E Sense Of Confider Australia BUT OFFENSIVE Nj PERTH, Not “We are getting strong can feel a sense of confi result of the rebuffs the ent fered during the last thl declared the Prime Minist tin, in launching the Fed merit’s £100,000,000 auster peal. “The enemy can com south than be has reacht being gradually forced tc tion of the uses of his fl. But we have not yet co offensive.” Every Australian must spending capacity, said tl ister. The people had themselves. They mu: money, or food and must vices needed by fighting nation would have to do ! had ever done before if were to be driven back. “The troops do not mt “and neither must you. ment makes no apology. what is called ‘austerity’ trallan public. There is escape for the people of or of any country till an cision has been reached ii gio. The sensible thing, as patriotic thing is to adapt < the maximum of capacity : vice.” . ,