NAVIES AT GRIPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20917, 17 October 1942, Page 3

NAVIES AT GRIPS

PACIFIC CONTROL DESPERATE JAP. BID VITAL AIRFIELD PRIZE (By Telegraph —Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (11 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 17. The great sea, land and air battle f6r the Solomons, now in the fourth day, is still in progress. The United States Navy states that no news of the sea battle will be available until a decision has been reached. The outcome of this biggest engagement of the Pacific war, so vitally important to New Zealand and Australia, is capable of completely changing the position in this theatre. Using some of their most powerful naval units, combined with considerable air strength, the Japanese, in desperate efforts to regain their lost Solomons’ positions, have so far had considerable losses—and it is plain that this is the major show-down which has been expected in the area for two months past.

An-earlier Chungking report stated that€he Japanese fleet comprises four aircraft-carriers and seven battleships, escorted by cruisers and destroyers. Some of the Japanese naval units are reported to be still off Guadalcanar, where the enemy beached his burning transports in an effort to land reinforcements. Now it has been revealed that the latest American reinforcements on the island are equipped with heavy General Grant tanks. The aggregate of Japanese losses so far announced in the Solomons fighting is now 58 ships sunk or damaged and 330 planes destroyed. No Strategic Withdrawal It is believed here that this time Japan will make no strategic withdrawal and her retirement from the present battle will only be forced Dy the decisive, and complete defeat or her air and naval strengths. *his opinion is confirmed by the New York Herald-Tribune, which . says: The: Guadalcanar-Tulagi area is one of the most important strategic positions in the south-west Pacific. Its continued possession by the United Nations means that the road is open for attacks north-westward through the islands towards the Japanese base at Rabaul, in New Britain, and, ultimately, Truk, in the Carolines. Thus the Japanese have no option but to attempt to recover the positions, no matter what losses are entailed. “Where the Japanese ground troops have mainly landed on the north coast of Guadalcanar is hilly and heavily wooded, with 1000 ft. peaks close to the shore. It is a suitable place for a landing and is believed to be inaccessible to the American forces protecting the Henderson airfield. These Japanese troops have apparently struck overland to engage the Americans in bitter fighting in their attempts to re-possess the airfield.

The American defenders are experienced in jungle warfare and have nad many skirmishes with Japanese scouting parties. They must also possess distinct advantages in heavy weapons —artillery and tanks. It is possible, however, that the Japanese have numerical superiority. They have been landing reinforcements intermittently since their original forces on Guadalcanar were driven back into the jungle when the American Marines landed on August 7. Reinforcements Vital. The ability of one side or the other to reinforce its strength may be o! vital importance in the present battle. In this regard the proximity of Rabaul and the great Japanese naval and air base at Truk gives the enemy an advantage which cannot be overlooked. However, the announcement of the establishment of new American south Pacific bases, particularly in the New Hebrides, 600 miles southwest of the Solomons, indicates that the reinforcement contingency has been anticipated by the Allied Command. A late announcement states that the American installations in the New Hebrides had been shelled by Japanese warships. Some commentators suggest that submarines and surface vessels may have made the attacks.

Since land-based air power is of the greatest importance in naval operations, it is possible that possession of Henderson airfield will determine the outcome of the entire struggle. The continued Japanese bombing raids of .this field, which are still being reported, are designed to neutralise the American air strength which has wrought such havoc among the enemy naval units. The Associated Press of America says that this airfield must be the first objective of the Japanese drive, which is described as having “grim significance.” Mr. H. V. Kelatenborn, the American news analyst, says it is clear that American forces 1 are engaged in a major combat, but “we can take it for granted that we have sufficient sea. land, and air forces there to make it a real battle.” He believes that American navai strength in the area is equal to the Japanese.

May Be Suicide Island Predictions on the outcome of the fighting are generally avoided, because of .the paucity of factual information, but another well-known American broadcast commentator, Mr. Gabriel Heatter, claims that the battle for Guadalcanar will prove a great turning point in the Pacific war. “Guadalcanar may yet prove a suicide island for the Japanese and I think I can promise you it will,” he declared. Evidence .that the air forces under General MacArthur’s Command are playing their part in the present Solomons fighting, is contained in the latest communique report of that at' Faisi, in Bougainville, Flying Fortresses dropped a 5001 b. bomb on an enemy cruiser from a low altitude. The vessel was evidently seriousHy damaged and stopped dead. The Flying Fortresses flew through heavy anti-aircraft fire, to strafe the decks. Japan’s shortage of cruisers is her greatest naval weakness, says the Sydney Morning Herald’s military correspondent. “This is the sixteenth cruiser so far reported damaged. At the outbreak of war Japan was believed to have had 42 cruisers. It is Drobable, however, that there has been some duplication in the claims to damaged cruisers. Lack of adequate cruiser protection for bigger and more powerful units may be an important factor in the present naval battle. “The Solomons has become the cockpit of the Pacific,” says the Sydrey Sun, "gradually drawing greater and greater forces until the clash h?s become one of first-rate magnitude.” AIR CHIEF PROMOTED (9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 15. President Roosevelt has promoted Major-General G. C. Kenney, commander of the Allied air forces in the south-west Pacific, to lieutenantgeneral. ___________