PACIFIC STRATEGY

Evening Star, Issue 24282, 25 August 1942, Page 3

PACIFIC STRATEGY

VALUE OF GOKMAKDO RAIDS JAPANESE STRENGTH DISPERSED (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) SYDNEY, Aug. 24. Allied commando operations against Japanese' Pacific outposts arc very much worthwhile. Military commentators in Australia believe that such hit-and-run sorties as the American raid on Makin, in the Gilbert Islands, must bo an integral part of the Allies’ Pacific strategy. _ These would have the effect of_ dispersing the Japanese strength, especially air power, giving greater freedom of action to our forces engaged in major occupying operations. Such raids would also tie down for defence purposes Japanese forces which might otherwise be concentrated for spearpoiut attacks.

Japanese policy has been to dispose her strength around the perimeter of her conquests, believing that enemy naval forces cannot penetrate deeply into the Japaneseheld zone. This means that they must control a defence line of 8,000 miles along an arc from Malaya to Mariana Islands.

“ There must be many islands where raids can be undertaken with reasonable hope of success, and where Allied naval craft would have a fair chance against enemy laftcl-basocl aeroplanes and local garrisons,” says the Sydney ‘ Morning " Herald’s ’ military correspondent. “ The Makin raid also shows that the element of surprise is possible even in areas where aerial reconnaissance 'of sea routes might be expected,” he continues. “ The attack on Makin was singularly audacious in view of the possibility of heavy aerial interception froar. Jakiit, only 300 miles away in the Marshall Islands.” Military experts point out that apart from the damage inflicted by specific raids the ever-present possibility of sudden attacks by Allied guerrilla forces must affect the morale of small isolated Japanese garrisons. The latest raid is seen as a pointer to the United Nations’ future course of action in the Pacific series. Such raids would prove a serious distraction to the Japanese attempts to repulse a major Allied offensive which began with the attacks on the Solomons. CONCENTRATIONS AT RABAUL.

The reported concentrations of enemy shipping at Rabaul may indicate that Japan is about to launch the expected major drive against tho American forces in the Tulagi area, although some observers suggest that the concentration is intended for a counterblow against Port Moresby. “ The Japanese losses in the Solomons have done little to weaken their hold on the islands north of Australia,” says the ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ war correspondent. “ They have been strengthening their positions on tho New Guinea mainland, where they appear to be firmly entrenched.” The same correspondent foresees the possibility that the Allies may forestall any Japanese move by an early direct attack on Rabaul. Significance is attached here to the arrival in America of General Brett and Air-commodore R. V. Goddard. It is admitted that Allied land-based aircraft have played a vital role in tho early stages of tho Solomons offensive, and it is hoped that joint consultations between tho American authorities and the two south-west Pacific air chiefs may result in an accentuated air offensive in this theatre.

SHIPYARDS BOMBED

FLYING FORTRESSES IH ACTION (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 1.20 p.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 24. Protected by Fighter Command squadrons of Spitfires', Flying Fortresses of the United States Army Air Force to-day bombed the shipbuilding yards near Rouen. Two enemy fighters were destroyed and several damaged. Two R.A.F. fighters are missing. . While the Flying Fortresses were attacking under escort, more squadrons of Spitfires', including United States Army Air Force pilots, swept in over the coast between Etretat and Abbeville, and fierce dogfights developed over the target, where at least 40 enemy fighters tried vainly to get at the bombers, all of whjph returned safely.

HOSTAGES IK EUROPE

FURTHER NAZI THREATS (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY, August 24. More instances of German threats to shoot innocent hostages are reported to-day. Three people at Staya Pazove and 15 at Karlovac, in Croatia, have been executed for assaults against official personalities and against a German official in Budapest. An announcement threatens that in future 10 hostages will be executed for every victim of an assault the perpetrator of which is undiscovered.

Long black lists of people to bo arrested as hostages have been prepared in case of .incidents in Norway.

SLOVENE SOLDIERS EXECUTED

THOUSANDS IN CONCENTRATION GAMPS (Rec. 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, August 24. ’ Fifteen Slovene soldiers described as Communists who had fought against the Italians in Yugoslavia have been executed in Romo, says Reuter’s correspondent ,on the Italian frontier. Seven other soldiers under 18 years were each sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment, and 8.000 men between 14 and 50 were sent to concentration camps from Ljubljana, which is the centre of General Mihailov itch’s patriots.

A Budapest message states that a German mobile military tribunal at Zennin sentenced to death 18 Croats from Stayapazove and Karlovac for assaults against officials. ■

An independent Belgian news agency reports that - the population of Seraing was fined 100,000 francs and a curfew imposed on the town after an armed attack resulted in the death of a Rexist.