CONFLICT IN SOLOMONS

Evening Star, Issue 24292, 5 September 1942, Page 5

CONFLICT IN SOLOMONS

THE HEW LANDING ATTEMPTS ENEMY ENGAGED BY U.S, MARINES WASHINGTON, Sept. 3. A navy communique states that the Japanese made several now attempts to land and establish small detachments of troops on various islands in tho south-eastern Solomons. American land-based aircraft operating from Guadalcanal attacked ships engaged in these landing operations, ana scored several hits, but the extent of the damage inflicted is not known. Parties which succeeded in landing were engaged by marines. On the morning of September 3 (east longitude date) a Flying Fortress bombed and damaged and set fire to an enemy tanker or seaplane tender north of Isabel Island, At the same time 18 Japanese bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked American installations at Guadalcanal. American fighters shot down three enemy bombers and four fighters, while our flak brought down one additional fighter. The damage to our positions was minor. In spite of periodical attacks by enemy aircraft, our positions in the Guadalcanal and Tulagi area arc steadily being reinforced and strengthened. ALLIED RAIDS JAP. BASES HEAVILY BOMBED HOPPING-UP AT MILNE BAY (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) SYDNEY, September 4. Tho Allied Air Force in the Southwest Pacific on Thursday extended its raids against the Japanese bases in the Northern _ Solomons. Targets at Buka, Bougainville, and Faisi were all attacked following the previous day’s heavy raids on Baku. Enernv airfields were the main objectives, tne attacks being no doubt designed to hamper the renewed Japanese operations against the American-occupied islands south-east of the Solomons. In a dawn raid on Buka an Allied medium _ bomber unit scored four direct hits on the aerodrome fuel dumps, starting fires. At Kieta enemy installations on the landing grounds were attacked with unknown results. An Allied offensive reconnaissance unit strafed an enemy flying boat in Faisi Harbour. Kieta is the administrative capital of Bougainville Island l , one of tho largest of tho Solomons group. Buka lies almost directly to the north and Faisj to the south, Kieta is an important base for both land-based and sea aircraft, while Faisi is a seaplane base. Buka, the chief enemy base in the Northern Solomons, is strongly fortified. Although Japanese aircraft have been active against positions in the Ameri-can-occupied islands on the group, their offensive lull in the areas under General MacArthur's command continues. No enemy attempts to intercept the raiding Allied aircraft have been reported. In the New Guinea area Allied bombers struck at enemy installations at Salamaua, while in the Kokoda area our fighters again, bombed and strafed the enemy lines of communication, The only Allied ground activity on Thursday was a continuation of the guerrilla mopping-up operations in Milne Bay, Commentators here continue to emphasise that fiercer fighting both in New Guinea and the Solomons must be expected. Referring to the Japanese land push towards Port Moresby from Kokoda, the Sydney ‘ Morning Herald’ says; “It is hard to believe that tho enemy will not sooner or later attempt to support his laud approach by naval action in force from one side or both sides of the sea passage between Australia and New Guinea.” The paper emphasises “ the ant-like pertinacity of tho Japanese in penetrating difficult country,” and adds; “Our air superiority over New Guinea has not shaken their hold on the Buna-Kokoda supply route, although it has delayed enemy progress.” MAJOR BATTLES FORECAST. Australian opinion that the South Pacific is on the eve of major battles is supported from the United States. The New York ‘ Times,’ commenting on the New Guinea fighting says that Tokio intended to offset the Allies’ Solomons victory by a fullscale descent on Port Moresby, but their efforts were scotched when they fell into General MacArthur’s trap at Milne Bay. The paper stresses the fact that time marches on the Allies’ side in the South Seas,,and if Japan is to have any ’hope of-success she must strike again scon. Other American commentators believe that Japan may be embarrassed in the South Pacific by tho pledge Tokio is reported to have given Hitler that she will move against Siberia when the Axis lias reached the Volga. Tho New York ‘ Herald-Tribune ’ says rumours are insistent that Japan will attack Russia before September 19 at tho latest. “ Such an attack would carry a great menace and also a great opportunity if America' immediately throws air and sea power into Vladivostok, from where we could really hit Japan,” sayk the paper. “ We were caught unprepared at Pearl Harbour and the Philippines, but if war breaks in Siberia there will bo no excuse for inertia or unpreparedness.” The paper adds that the United Nations would also have an improved opportunity of broadening their South Pacific offensive, SOUTH CHINA HOSTILITIES JAPANESE WITHDRAWING MANY PLANES (Rec. 11,20 a.m.) CHUNGKING, Sept. 4. Chinese intelligence reports indicate that the Japanese are withdrawing the major portion of their air force from the Canton-Nonchang-Haukow area. Military observers believe this means that the Japanese are preparing to attack other areas, and probably have insufficient planes to cover all their needs. OVERWHELMING CHINESE ASSAULT (Rec. noon.) CHUNGKING, Sept- 4. The ‘ Central News ’'reports that the Chinese, in an overwhelming assault, are pressing upon Sunki. I® miles northward of Canton. The Chinese recaptured several points 25 mites northwest of Canton The Japanese captured Lanciii, 10 miles north of Kinhwa. General Stilweil has arrived from India.

Such of the coble news in this issue as is so headed has appeared in • The Times,’ and is sent to this paper by special permission it should be understood that the opinions are not those of • The Times' unless expressly stated to be so.