SENSATIONAL TWIST

Evening Star, Issue 24288, 1 September 1942, Page 3

SENSATIONAL TWIST

FIRST JAPANESE EVACUATION IHPROVEMEHT IH ALL SECTORS SYDNEY, August 31. News of the sweeping Milne Bay success came at a time when a grave view was being taken of the battle. An edition of the Sydney ‘ Sun 1 which announced our success published a leader headed ‘ Danger Moves Closer,’ commenting on the seriousness of the New Guiißea situation and the vital threat offered to Port Moresby by the Japanese occupation of Milne Bay. In later editions the leading article was changed for one headed ‘ The Victory of Milne Bay.’ Sunday’s ...communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters, reporting the arrival of eight Japanese warships at Milne Bay, 'said: “ Reinforcements may have been landed.” Whether the dramatic twist in the came as a result of subsequent events is not yet clear. War correspondents believe, however, that the warships arrived, not to land reinforcements, but to evacuate the already beaten Japanese force. Aerial reconnaissance bn Sunday revealed that the warships had left the bay. This is the first occasion when the Japanese have evacuated troops in the Pacific. , The fighting in Milne Bay is continuing, though it is believed now to have assumed the nature of mopping-up operations by the Australian troops. The full story of the Allied success is eagerly awaited hero. While the deterioration in the New Guinea situation reported on Sunday waa unexpected, no less unexpected is th# significant improvement reported today in all sectors. The lates communique states: “At Kokoda sporadic fighting in thick jungle country occurred on Sunday, resulting in the repulse of the enemy with heavy casualties.” Observes* believe that the enemy was feeling out oiir positions, and the casualties

were proportionately rather than numerically great. At Salamaua Japanese ground activity is increasing, but the movement is believed to be confined to small groups of enemy troops, 'and combat has not been reported. The 1 Sun ’ gives a warning that “ elation over the success must not bo allowed to merge into that easy complacency which has followed other successes In past months. The enemy is aggressively strong and resilient, and after a setback ho does not draw off and lick his wounds.” It is suggested that he may seek a new point at which to strike. • Tribute is widely paid to Majorgeneral C. A. Clowes, who commands the Milne Bay forces. He is now 50 years of ago. He gained the D.S.O, and M.C. in the last war. A Duntroon graduate, he is described as “ almost shy in private life, but a vigorous and efficient soldier and absolutely fearless in battle.” . He was one of nine Australian brigadiers recalled after nearly two years’ service in the Middle East and promoted to major-general. Our new marked air superiority is recognised as a deciding factor in the* Allied success at Buna and Milne Bay. Great destruction has been caused to enemy supplies as well as aircraft. Bad weather allowed the original enemy convoy to reach Milne Bay without air opposition. It‘is believed that had conditions permitted air attacks on the enemy bridgehead could have been

made. Similarly the eight warships which reached the bay on Saturday night were protected by adverse weather, making air attack impossible. The sole Allied air activity reported during the past 24 hours was an attack by heavy bombers on an enemy cruiser and transport at Rabaul. The results were not observed. Two enemy raids have been made on Darwin, but both were ineffectual, the bombs falling harmlessly in the harbour and mangrove swamps. “The latest news is encouraging, hut it does not minimise the seriousness of the position confronting Australia,” saidi the Minister of the Army, Mr F.

M. Forde, commenting on tlie Milne Bay success. Though the Government’s military advisers had the New Guinea position well in hand, the entire situation justified the drastic action taken by the Government, to'speed up war production and increase the size of the fighting forces. The transfer of employees from less essential industries to war work must continue. The Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, said that the success was gratifying, but he emphasised that controversy about military operations must be avoided, as surprise was essential to success, and controversy Often destroyed that element. The Opposition Leader, Mr A. W. Fadden. said the success was “ the most heartening news we have had for a long time.” THE SIMMS VICTORY CO-ORDINATION OF ALLIED FORCES f FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR'S WARNING NEW YORK, August dl. The New York ‘ Times,’ in a leader, says: “The details of our conquest in the south-west - Solomons show that this, the first American offensive of the war, was one of the most clean-cut, efficient, and gallant operations in history. The insignificant toll of prisoners taken reveals the fanatical courage with which the enemy resisted, but no courage could overcome the brilliant co-ordination of our sea and land forces or the plan of attack. “ The battle of the Solomons is the worst defeat the Japanese have suffered in the Pacific, not perhaps in naval tonnage sent to the bottom, but in prestige and position. They have lost a base which is essential to their plan of Pacific conquest, and lie exposed! to attack from many points. The Japanese know they were driven from Tulagi by superior force, and the whole of the Far blast knows it. Tokio cannot accept this, humiliation. The determined Japanese assault in the Milne Bay region shows that they will contest et'ery foot of our advance, either by counter-attack or diversionary operations.”

The New York ‘ Herald-Tribune ’ says: “The Solomons is an inspiring story, but it is also confusing iu its strategic implications. The Navy Department believes that tiie Tulagi and Guadalcanal positions are 1 well established,’ and it has released glimpses of subsequent aerial and naval encounters, which seem to indicate that our forces successfully repelled major Japanese efforts to retake the bases. Yet at the same time a high authority in Washington insists that these are all minor affairs, and he is still in doubt whether the real counter-attack may not yet have to come.” Tlie ‘Herald-Tribune’ adds: “The situation is further obscured by the

Japanese lauding at Milne Bay. The latest reports from there are good, but should the Japanese establish themselves there it might go far to offset our success in the Solomons. Certainly one operation cannot be fully assessed until the results of the other are definite, and the 1 higher authority 1 may only bo trying to issue a warning against taking too literally the navy’s enthusiasm for its achievements. What can be said, however, is that here in miniature is a picture of what the Far Eastern war is going to be. It will bo grim, it will be bloody, and it will be fought for keeps.”