CRISIS IN SOLOMONS

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 245, 17 October 1942, Page 5

CRISIS IN SOLOMONS

MEANING 0F THE BATTLE VIEWS 0F NEWS ANALYSTS

P.A. Special.

SYDNEY, Oct. 16. 1

The great sea, land and air battle fc>r the Solomons, now in its fourth day, is still in progress. The United States Navy Department states that no news cf the sea battle will be available until a decision has been reached. The outccme of this, the biggest engagement of the Pacific war, and so vitally important to New Zealand and Australia, is capable of comipletely changing the position in this theatre. Using some of their most powerful naval units, combined with considerable air strength, desperate efforts by the Japanese to regain their lost Solomons posi-

tions have so far cost them 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 states that the 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 burning transports in efforts to land reinforcements. It has now been revealed that the latest American reinforcements on the island are equipped with heavy General Grant tanks. The aggregate of the Japanese losses so far announced in the Solomons fighting is now 58 ships sunk or damaged and 330 planes destroyed. JAPS. WILL FIGHT TO FINISH. It is believed here that this time Japan will make na strategic withdrawal, and her retirement from the present battle will only be forced by -decisive and complete defeat of her air and naval strengths. This 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 (New Britain), and ultimately to Truk (in ihe Carolines). Thus the Japanese have no option but to attempt to recover their 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 thousand-foor. peaks close to the shore. It is a suitable place for landing, and is believed to be inaccessible to the American forces protecting the Henderson air-field. These Japanese troops have apparently struck overland to engage the Americans in bitter fighting in their attempts to repossess the air-field. The American defenders are experienced in jungle warfare, and have had many skirmishes with Japanese seouting 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 priginal forces on Guadalcanar were driven back into the jungle when American Marines landed on August 7. ABILITY TO REINFORCE. The ability of one side or the other to reinforce its strength may be of vital importance in the present battle. In this regard the proximity of Rabaul and the great Japanese naval and air base of 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 south-west of the Solomons) indicates that the reinforcement contingeney has been anticipated by the Allied Command. It is announced that American installation in the New Hebrides have been shelled by Japanese warships. Some eommentators suggest that submarines and not 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 air-field will determine the outcome of the entire struggle. Continued Japanese bombing raids on this field, which are still being reported, are designed to neutralise American air strength, which has wrought such havoc among enemy naval units. The American Associated Press says that this air-field must be the first objective of the Japanese drive, which is described as having "grim significance." Mr H. V. Kelatenborn, an American news asaiyst, says it is clear that the American forces 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 naval strength in the area is equal to that of the Japanese. Preaictions about the outcome of the fighting are generally avoided because of the paucity of actual information, but another well-known Amierioan broadcast commehtator, Mr Gabriel Heatter, claims that the battle for Guadalcanar may yet prove the 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 iorces unaer General MacArthur's command are playing their part in the present Solomons fighting is contained in today's eommunique report that at Faisi, on Bougainville, Flying Fortresses dropped a 5001b bomb on an • enerny cruiser from a low altitude. The vessel was .evidently seriously damaged and stopped dead. The Fortress flew through lieavy anti-air-craft 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 is believed to have had 44 cruisers. It is probable, however, that there is some duplication in the claims relating to damaged cruisers. Laek 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 Sydney Sun. "Gradually it has drawn greater and greater forces until the clash has become one of first rate magnitude."