SOLOMONS FLARE-UP.

Evening Star, Issue 24283, 26 August 1942, Page 4

SOLOMONS FLARE-UP.

The renewal of combined naval and air hostilities on a large scale is not an unexpected development of the battle for the Solomon Islands. The magnificent offensive action which gained for United States troops, ably assisted by Allied warships and aeroplanes, a firm foothold on strategic bases on the most southerly islands in the group was indeed, in the words of Mr Hanson Baldwin, correspondent of the 1 Now York Times,’ notice to the enemy that he is nowhere secure against attack. The Japanese Fleet in South Pacific waters, after taking a gruelling during the Allied landing operations, evaded a decisive conflict there and then, 'and retired northward in as good order as possible to reorganise for another sortie against Admiral Ghormley’s forces. To some extent its action exemplified the truth of the old saw: “He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.” The enemy fleet, with its associated air strength, is now fighting again. In common with the Nazi leaders, those who are attempting to control Japan’s destiny feel that in order to attain success they must keep moving, and, wherever possible, attacking. Probably this is the best course for fully-armed belligerent nations to follow. In the case of the Solomon Islands it remains to be seen whether the Japanese naval commander was wise in so soon obeying the urge to defend Rabanl and other strongholds to the north by striking back at the new occupiers of the Southern Solomons. It is evident that the enemy leaders fully realise flic seriousness of the reverses at Tulagi and elsewhere. They cannot afford to submit to the thought, or allow the idea to gain currency among the people of Japan, that the fact of their forces being ousted from important parts of the Solomons means that the tide of aggression in the Pacific lias been stemmed and may shortly be turned. Desperately reckless in all their enterprises, the Japanese seem almost inordinately eager to regain the lost territory and at the same time inflict a naval defeat on the Allies. Fortunately, from our point of view, it appears from the news available up to the time of writing, that the enemy has run into something akin to the kind of tron.ble which he suffered in the previous Coral Sea Battle and in the clash off Midway Island.

The reports show that the Allied warships and aeroplanes have been quick to accept the new challenge and have already administered considerable punishment to units of the Japanese Fleet. Although the Allies must be prepared to face casualties to men, ships, and aeroplanes, there is every reason to hope that, if the battle follows the same trend as. the original landing operations and the Coral Sea and Midway engagements, the final result will he more than satisfactory. The importance of the fighting in the Solomons area to New Zealand has been emphasised in a message received from a Press Association correspondent at a South Pacific port, and published today. If the Allied forces, the writer says, prevail in the enemy counteroffensive (anticipated at the time the message was despatched). New Zealand’s security from attack will he guaranteed for a long period. On the other hand, failure will mean that the Dominion will he facing the most dangerous situation in its history.