JOCKEYING FOR POSITION

Evening Star, Issue 24332, 22 October 1942, Page 5

JOCKEYING FOR POSITION

OPPOSING NAVAL FORCES POSSIBILITY OF FIRST-CLASS CLASH NEW YORK, October 20. ’ “ Informed circles believe that the American and Japanese naval forces are now jockeying for position in a decisive battle for the Solomons,” says the Washington correspondent of the ‘ New York Times.’ “ Compilation of reports received in Washington indicates that the Japanese forces are probably concentrated north and west of Guadalcanal, principally around New Georgia. Tho enemy could steam overnight to the battle area in Guadalcanal from the region between New Georgia and Rabaul, the principal Japanese base. Ships in this locality are too far away for steady attacks by aircraft based on Guadalcanal. Likewise, they are quite distant from American heavy bomber bases in Australia, New Caledonia, and the New Hebrides.” Qualified observers express the opinion that cither of two factors may have checked tho Japanese on Guadalcanal after landing near the American positions and their temporary successes iu bombing and shelling the airfield—first, the enemy may have encountered more air, land,* and sea resistance than was/anticipated ; secondly, the Japanese may not be planning to conduct an ipunediate land campaign, but are instead seeking a naval victory as a prelude to tho recapture of the airfield by land attack. The number of enemy vessels already sighted indicates the possibility that lie anticipated a sea engagement. The reference in to-day’s communique to auxiliaries is, significant, as a task force sent out to make a fast attack on the island position would not hamper itself with auxiliaries other than a few tankers. Auxiliaries normally make fleet movements relatively ponderous. If the Japanese are seeking a naval engagement it is obvious that Admirals Ghormley and Nimitz will attempt to outmanoeuvre them and decide the conditions and time at which such an engagement will be held. Hence, observers are watching with keen interest the operations in Guadalcanal itself, but none omits consideration of the possibility that what began as on island raid may result in a naval engagement of record proportions.

DRIVEN BACK

JAPANESE IN NEW GUINEA SUCCESSFUL AUSTRALIAN STRATEGY (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) SYDNEY, October 21. In spite of their continued tenacious resistance the Japanese in the heights of the Owen Stanley flanges are gradually being driven back. They are now occupying new positions about' three miles north of Templeton’s Crossing, to which they were forced to withdraw by successful Australian outflanking and encircling attacks. In a desperate effort to retain their foothold) in this last strip of high ground in the Hell’s Gap area, the Japanese have brought up light artillery as well as mortars. The latest Allied gain was made afteran advanced unit had succeeded in occupying a position in the rear of the Japanese forward troops. When their costly counter-attacks failed to eliminate the threat of Allied encirclement, the Japanese withdrew. Failure to hold their present positions may mean that the enemy will be forced to withdraw from an altitude of 6'oOOft to Kokoda, only 1,500 ft above sea level.

WAR CORRESPONDENT KILLED IN NEW GUINEA

SYDNEY. October 21. ' Air Byron Damien, war correspondent for the ‘ New York Times,’ has been killed in New Guinea, This was announced from General MacArtliur’s headquarters to-day. Air Darnton, who served in France in the last war and received battle decorations, was- killed last Sunday, but how he mot his death has not been revealed. He bad occupied many important positions in American journalism.