ALLIES ON TOP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20874, 28 August 1942, Page 5

ALLIES ON TOP

SOLOMONS BATTLE JAR. BID THWARTED "STAGGERING BLOWS” (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (2.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. "27. The attempted counter-invasion by the Japanese of the American-held Solomon Islands will be thwarted. This is the opinion of observers in Australia reviewing the progress of the battle. The latest news of the great sea and air battle suggests that the Allied forces have a distinct upper hand. It is possible that major units of the enemy invasion fleet have already been forced to retire, leaving laller vessels to attempt to carry on.

"Flying Fortresses, as well as car-rier-based aircraft, have carried .the attack seaward and dealt staggering blows at the strong Japanese striking force.

The New York Times’ correspondent in -Washington suggests .that .the fact that .the enemy force approached the objectives from the 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 widely eastward and then turned south-east, 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 was intercepted before reaching the immediate vicinity of .the Solomons. President’s Happy Mood American observers note that President Roosevelt was in an -extremely good mood during .his press conference, which they believe was due to “pleasant reading.” of the more detailed reports of the battle leaching him. The American forces of occupation in the Solomons are in good spirits and deride the Japanese claims of victory, according to 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 said. “Even though news is scarce, we got that over the radio.” Mr. Montrose said that Japan’s allout bid to retake the Solomons .is interpreted as conclusive proof that she attached the greatest importance to Tulagi and the surrounding area. One military expert writes: “The 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 be 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 New Zealand.” If the Allies can maintain the offensive in the Solomons and push forward, the security of the south Pacific will be ensured, says Vice-Admiral d’Argenlieu, Fighting French envoy in the Pacific, who has arrived in Sydney from New Caledonia on an official visit. Solomons Key Point

Vice-Admiral d’Argenlieu said he bad discussed the war situation with Vice-Admiral R. Ghormley and believed that the protection of the Solomons, which have such an important strategic position, meant also protection for the rest of the south Pacific, particularly New Caledonia. He considered that the position of the Pacific war had improved to such an extent to permit him to make a goodwill visit to Australia and New Zealand. Discussing the question of a second front in Europe, Admiral d’Argerilieu said it might be extremely useful fftit it was difficult .to select a place from which to make an offensive. “Nothing can be done that would be useful to finishing the war until Africa has been cleared of the Italians and Germans,” he said. “Africa is the best base from which to launch an offensive from all sorts of directions.” Admiral di’Argenlieu said he -believed the Vichy fleet would never reach the hands of the Germans.