N.Z. WAR VESSELS IN SOLOMONS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 103, 26 January 1943, Page 5

N.Z. WAR VESSELS IN SOLOMONS

Unhurried Army Plans

(Ullicial War Correspoodem, X.Z.E !■ i A SOUTH PACIFIC BASE, Jam. 21. The United States forces on Guadalcanal are completing preparations iu

their own time for an offensive designed to clean out" the several thousand Japanese troops who remain on the island. The latest commiiiilques,

reporting gradual advances on the island and a considerable slaughter of Japanese, indicate that, the preliminaries have already begun. They suggest a straightening and consolidation of

die western battle line. The Americans have time and the nitiative on their side, and they can tfford to make their plans with cau-

ion. Meanwhile, the resistance of the lapanese is probably growing weaker is a result of the tight naval blockade, Cd as the Americans gain information ibout the strength and disposition of

the enemy. Even the newly-arrived American reinforcements have had an opportunity to settle down and become acclimatized.

In some important respects (he United States ground forces face a task more

difficult than that 7 ? undertaken by the marines in the original landing. That, operation was a highly centralized affair, whereas today, us the westward advance continues. Hie problem of supplying the forward troops becomes increasingly heavy. The Americans are meeting it with typical resourcefulness, driving new roads along ridges and through the jungle hard on the heels of the fighting men.

But in parks of the line, water, ammunition and food have to be carried in, and Wounded carried out, by band over extremely dillicult: country. The nature of the fighting has changed

too, as it has moved beyond the opeu grassy plains and knolls about the airfield, and entered the dense jungle. This spells the end of comparatively orthodox battle tactics, and the American patrols now have to stalk the elusive Japanese through

jungle that looks very much like virgin New Zealand bush. Ships Unmolested.

I’erhaps fewer than 10,000 strong, tile Japanese have for many weeks been receiving only limited supplies. Recently they resorted to dropping food by parachute. Even if now, in desperation, they risk more ships to get supplies through they will still be far behind the Americans in the race Io reinforce. In all these weeks ship alter ship has discharged its cargo of troops', ammunition and food or fuel al Hie American beach-head without being molested. Furthermore. the American control of the sky is now securely held. New Zealand air ami sea forces are playing an important part, in the effective blockade of the Japanese-held coastline. Reconnaissance bombers of the R.N.Z.A.F., on regular far-reaching patrols, keep enemy shipping movements under close watch, acting as eyes for the American air striking forces. Mine-sweeping and anti-submarine ships of tile New Zealand Navy have joined the flotilla of Allied war vessels patrolling the southern Solomons waters and screening the arrival and departure of freighters and transports. Morale on the island is good, in spite of tlie climate, which, with its oppressive. sticky heat and regular tropical downpours, is one of the most unpleasant in the world. The food, which includes a considerable amount of fresh meal, with turkey on special occasions, is better than is to be found at some of the less ad-