ABSURD ENEMY CLAIMS

Evening Star, Issue 24285, 28 August 1942, Page 3

ABSURD ENEMY CLAIMS

AMERICAN TROOPS AMUSED NEW YORK, Aug. 26. “ The American forces of occupation in the Solomons are in good spirits and deride the. Japanese claims or victory,” states Mr Sherman Montrose, an American correspondent, who accompanied the successful marine units and spent two days ashore. “We are all laughing about the Japanese, claim to have sunk 25 ships,” he says.. “Even though news is scarce hereabouts we got that over the radio.” ißain and heat have produced oppressive weather conditions in the wild jungle-covered islands, states the Washington correspondent of the 1 New York Times,’ who suggests that the fact that the enemy force approached tho objectives from tho north-east supports the belief that the enemy came from a rendezvous somewhere in the Caroline group, probably Truk. From there, the Japanese are believed to have swung wide to the east, and then turned south-west, attempting to escape detection by American reconnaissance planes. The enemy’s hope of making a surprise raid, however, was not realised.

It is believed that the enemy’s main force mas intercepted before reaching the immediate vicinity of the Solomons. American observers note that President Roosevelt was in an extremely good mood during his Frees conference, which they believe was due to “ pleasant reading ” of the more detailed reports of the battle reaching him.

japan’s all-out bid to retake the Solomons is interpreted as conclusive proof that she attaches the greatest importance to Tulagi and the surrounding area. One military expert writes: “ American possession of these bases represents a springboard from which the Allies can invade and recapture positions in New [Britain and New Guinea as a preliminary to an all-out drive north to Japan itself. If the Japanese retake the Solomons they will bo provided again with a springboard from which to attempt further advances southward to the New Hebrides and New Caledonia in order to isolate Australia and Now Zealand.” JAPANESE NAVAL FORGES LONDON, August 28. A United States communique received in London this morning states that the Japanese naval forces appear to have withdrawn from the battle in the southeastern Solomons.,