FIRST EVACUATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20877, 1 September 1942, Page 3

FIRST EVACUATION

JAPS. IN_PACIFIC SURPRISING REVERSE ALLIED AIR SUPERIORITY (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY. Sept. 1. The news of the Allied sweeping Milne Bay success came at a time when a grave view was being, taken of the battle. The Sydney Sun edition, which announced our success, published a leader headed: “Danger Moves Closer,” commenting on the seriousness of the New Guinea 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, “Victory of Milne Bay.” Sunday's communique from General MacArthur’s Headquarters, reporting the arrival of eight Japanese warships in Milne Bay, said: “Reinforce-, ments may have been landed.” Whether the dramatic twist in the developments came as a result oi events is not yet clear. However, war correspondents believe that the warships arrived not to land reinforcements but. to evacuate the already beaten- Japanese force. . Aerial reconnaissance on Sunday revealed that. the .warships had-,left, the bay,< This is the first, occasion when the Japanese have evacuated troops in the Pacific war. Fighting in Milne Bay is continuing, though it is believed. now to have assumed the nature of mopping up operations by the Australian troops. Significant Improvement The full story of the Allied success is eagerly awaited here. While the deterioration of the New Guinea situation, reported on Sunday, was unexpected, the no less unexpected is the significant improvement reported yesterday in all sectors. The latest communique states: “At Kokoda sporadic fighting in the thick jungle country occurred on Sunday, resulting in the repulse of the enemy with heavy casualties.” Observers believe .that the enemy was feeling out our positions and thecasualties 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 Sun issued the following warning: “Elatton over success must not be allowed to merge into that easy complacency which has followed other successes in past months. The enemy is aggressively strong and resilient. After a setback he does not draw off to lick his wounds.” It is suggested that he may seek a new point at which to strike. Tribute To Commander Tribute is widely paid to MajorGeneral C. A. Clowes, who commands the Milne Bay forces. He is now 50 years of age. 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 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 withQut air opposition. It is believed that had conditions permitted air attacks the enemy bridgehead could nc-t 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 could not be observed. Two enemy raids have been made on Darwin, but both were ineffectual, the bombs falling harmlessly in the harbour and mangrove swamps. Seriousness Not Minimised “The latest news is encouraging but it does not minimise the seriousness of the position confronting Australia,” said the Minister of the Army, Mr. F. M. Forde, commenting on the 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 the less essential industries to war work must continue. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, said the success was gratifying, but he emphasised that controversy about military operations must be avoided. Surprise was essential to success. Controversy often destroyed that element. The (Deposition Leader, Mr. A. W. Fadden, * said the success was the “most heartening news we had had for a long time.”