MAJOR NAVAL BID

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20876, 31 August 1942, Page 3

MAJOR NAVAL BID

REGAIN SOLOMONS JAP. MOVE”AWAITED ALLIES SEEK SHOW-DOWN (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 31. New Zealand reports published here that a major battle has flared again in the Solomons are not confirmed either here or in Washington. Though the enemy forces have now withdrawn, Washington officials admit that a large-scale enemy sea and air assault, preparatory to an attempt to land substantial numbers of Japanese troops on the islands recently captured by the Allies, must be expected at any moment. The light enemy forces which were successfully attacked by our air forces on Thursday may have been the spearhead for a new attack. While the latest successes are heartening and indicate that the Allied forces are now firmly entrenched on the islands they have taken, observers sound a note of caution that the Japanese losses so far represent only a small portion of her sea strength. A New York Evening Post writer, commenting on the admonition by a high American Navy official against over-playing the Solomons victory, says: “Our successes to date have been relatively minor, with a major showdown still to come. The Japanese are certain to launch a counter-attack on a grand scale in an attempt to recover positions in the Tulagi area. So far the enemy attacks have been more in the nature of reconnaissances in force than full-scale efforts to defeat and dislodge the American forces.” Must Invade Australia The London Times says: “Japan cannot call a halt in the Pacific islands and hope to hold her ill-gotten gains. So long as Australia is held and supplied by the United Nations, Japan will always be in danger. Japan must, therefore, endeavour to forestall the riposte by a successful invasion of the Australian continent before the United Nations can assemble enough force for its defence as a base for their own subsequent attack. “Whatever setbacks she may experience, the Milne Bay landing proves that Japan is inevitably committed to advance against Australia,” The Times adds. Australian observers see no reasons for altered views on the South Pacific situation, which is regarded more hopefully than for many weeks past. It has always been recognised here that the major test still lies ahead, but the Allied successes in recent operations give reason for optjrnism. It is felt here that the changed tone of some British and American comment is due rather to the fact that these distant commentators are beginning to view the Pacific situation with belatedly increasing realism, rather than that new grounds have arisen for pessimism. It is pointed out that the inevitable pending south Pacific showdown is being sought by the Allies and not the Japanese. Our gains in the preliminary operations give a solid basis for hopes of further successes in the arduous and costly struggle ahead.