NEW GUINEA SURPRISE

Evening Star, Issue 24287, 31 August 1942, Page 3

NEW GUINEA SURPRISE

Enemy’s New Advantage Bad Weather Offsets Our Air Superiority (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) (Eec. 1.20 p.m.) SIDNEY, August 31. Some observers regard the situation at Milne Bay area, where the Japanese now hold the initiative, as “ grave.” The latest landing of enemy reinforcements, combined with activity in the Kokoda-Bulolo sectors, “ indicates,an outright bid for possession of the whole of the New Guinea mainland,” according to the Sydney ‘ Herald ’ war correspondent. The deterioration of the New Guinea situation is regarded as disquieting, and the arrival of a fresh enemy naval force on Saturday came as a surprise to those who knew the facts after the original landing, and had felt confident that our forces were well able to cope with it. Enemy ships were first observed early on Saturday just off the d’Entreoasteau Group (Solomons). Our aircraft made efforts to attack, but were defeated by bad weather. Some observers believe that the Japanese intensified New Guinea campaign is intended to coincide with full-scale efforts to recoup the Solomons losses. The ‘ Telegraph ’ says: “ If we gained the Solomons and ■ lost Port Moresby, we would show a heavy debit. Moresby is seriously threatened. Until the Japanese appeared in Milne Bay, we flattered ourselves that they would be unable to cross the formidable barrier of the Owen Stanley Ranges—just as we fooled ourselves Hitler could never break through the Maginot Line. Like Hitler, the Japanese have tackled an insurmountable obstacle by the simple expedient of ignoring it. At Milne Bay they will be able to walk round the end of the Owen Stanleys unless we can drive them back into the sea.”

The ‘Herald’s ’ military correspondent says that, particularly in the light of General Blarney’s optimistic attitude regarding our capacity to deal with the enemy landing in Milne Bay, the present position is “highly disappointing.’’ The latest Allied communique makes reference to Japan’s control of sea lanes in North New Guinea, which means that the enemy is more readily able to supply his forces at Milne Bay.

Between Milne Bay and Abau, halfway to Moresby, land travel is very difficult, and it would be impossible to supply our Milne Bay forces by the overland route. If the weather improves, enabling the Allies to exploit their growing air superiority, the situation may develop in our favour, but a continuation of bad weather, enabling enemy shipping to move in these waters with increased freedom, would be likely to have unfortunate, far-reaching consequences.