Japs Lose first Round in Counter-stroke

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 205, 28 August 1942, Page 5

Japs Lose first Round in Counter-stroke

Bat Further Assault On Solomons Likely

The Press Association correspondent at • South Pacific port says the Japanese appear to have lost the first round of their counter-offensive against the Southeastern Solomons in extraordinarily quick time- Unless the action has since developed afresh, their approach to Guadalcanar does not appear to have been pressed with anything like the determination which characterised the United States marines’ and Allied naval forces’ assault on the islands almost three weeks ago. It would even seem that the Japanese failed to disembark any of their forces. However, It should not be taken that the reported withdrawal betokens a decision to relinquish the enterprise, for a further assault seems inevitable. Japan's wounds *n this week's affray, severe and annoying although they will be to the enemy, probably do not more than touch the main strength of the Japanese naval force which can be brought to bear if Japan decided to pledge it. The losses suffered In the Coral Sea, off .Midway and in the two Solomon islands actions, have not yet been sufficient to justify the wishful thinking that Japanese naval power Is no longer to be feared. Admiral Ghormley's fresiv-success shows that miracles of preparation against a counter-offensive have been achieved In the extremely short time he has had at his command since the islands were captured. The general position now seems to be that Admiral Ghormley and his Marine Corps forces ashore on the islands have won more time In which to prepare the offensive and defens.ve capabilities of the islands, provided possible losses in ships’ personnel, aircraft and general equipment can be replaced and added to quickly. The outlook is at present even more encouraging than it was after the original capture of the islands. This does not mean it is less fateful to the Allies in southern areas of the Pacific. A further assault must be expected and it will probably be made In greater force than this one. Although pressed back, the Japanese still possess terrific strength and have gained valuable knowledge. The period of suspense has not been ended by' the latest engagement. The correspondent also says that the countries whose fate is being decided in the Solomons should also recognise that so far their champions have been preponderantly American. The landing forces have been completely American and the naval forces Allied In composition to only a minor degree. He says that, as a result of United States commitments in other theatres of war, the time must come when other countries in the Pacific theatre must take their part in the offensive plans. The Allied countries must therefore be prepared for further calls upon manpower if the South-eastern Solomons are finally held by Americans and developed into an offensive base. VITAL SPRINGBOARD (Special Australian Correspondent.) 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 in review. ng the progress of the battle. The latest news of the great sea and air battle suggests that the Allied forces distinctly have the upper hand. It is possible that major units of the enemy invasion fleet have already been forced to retire, leaving the smaller vessels attempting to carry on. Flying Fortresses as well as carrierbased aircraft have carried the attack seaward and dealt staggering blows at the strong Japanese str.king force. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent suggests that the fact that the enemy force approached its objectives frOm the north-east supports the belief that the enemy came to a rendezvous somewhere about the Caroline Group, probably Truk. From there the Japanese are believed to have swung wide eastward and then turned south-west, attempting to escape detection by the American reconnaissance planes. The enemy’s hope of making a surprise raid, however, was not realised. It is believed the enemy's main force was intercepted before reaching the immediate vicinity of the Solomons. American Observers note that President Roosevelt was in an extremely good mood during his Press Conference, which they believe was due to the "pleasant reading’’ of more detailed reports of the battle reaching him. The American forces of occupation in the Solomons are in good spirits and deride the Japanese claims to 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 t.o have sunk 25 ships. Even though news is scarce hereabouts, we got that over the radio." Rain and heat have produced oppressive weather conditions in the wild Jungle-covered islands, said Mr. Montrose. Japan's all-out bid to retake the Solomons is interpreted as conclusive proof that she attaches 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 the 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 sbuthward 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 Contre-Admiral d’Argenlieu, the Fighting French delegate In the South Pacific, who has arrived in Sydney from New Caledonia on an official visit. Admiral d'Argenlieu said he discussed the war situation with Admiral Ghormley and believed the protection of the Solomons, which would have such an important strategic position, meant also protection for the rest of the South Pacific, particularly New Caledonia. He considered the position of the Pacific war had improved to such an extent as to permit him to make a goodwill visit to Australia and New Zealand. Discussing the question of a second front in Europe, Admiral d’Argenlieu said it might be extremely useful, but it would be 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 ■•Jfv “Africa is the best base from which to launch an offensive in all sorts of directions." Admiral d’Argenlieu said he believed the Vichy fleet would never reach the hands of the Germans. 14 JAPANESE SHIPS HIT . „ LONDON. Aug. 26. A united States naval communique describes the situation in the Solomons ae encouraging. The Japanese attack on Guadalcanal- it says, was repulsed with T ery ,s“P' }“>*«*• It l« now known that, ip addition to a cruiser already reported - 10 hav * been left burning, six more Japane«, »h |p s have been left ablaze by Lnlted States planes. This brings the toUI of Japanese ships damaged to 14. Twelve Japanese planes were destroyed pfane rday *° F the los ® of one -American SPECIAL SHOCK TROOPS. . w 4 LONDON, Aug. 26. A Washington statement describes the American force which raided Makin Is land, in the Gilbert group, nine days ago as part of a new force of shock troops

specially chosen from the Marines. Their equipment and training have been a closely-guarded secret. Part of their specialty is attack from the sea and smashing of enemy communications and stores. Men of this force are now taking part m the Solomon Islands battle. JAP AND U.S. FLEETS MAY COME TO GRIPS (Special Australian Correspondent.) Received Friday, 1.15 a.m. SIDNEY, Aug. 27. A major setback for tne Japanese Navy within the next lew uays eouiu reduce enemy sea power to a point where it might not again be able to challenge the American fleet, whose strength is rapidly increasing. This is the opinion among Australian observers, but a London report that 4 Japan has already lost naval supremacy in the South-west Pacific” is regarded as premature. Pictures oi the fighting are far from complete, but American naval communiques are known to be ultra-conservative and the latest statement, “the results of the fight so far are encouraging," is accepted as giving good grounds for optimism. American observers report that a sea and air battle Is apparently raging and has increased in fury, despite the withdrawal of one Japanese force. Heavy enemy units are thought to be still in the battle, W'hich so far has served to confirm again the superiority of land-based aircraft in such operations. This advantage lies strongly with the Allies. Aerial forces alone were used in the battle engagement up till Monday, except for one destroyer attack against shor« targets. However, observers believe the Japanese fleet may now come to close grips with the American fleet for the first time since the Pacific war began. It is pointed out that Japan needs desperately to regain the initiative, and she is thus likely to accept the issue sought and provoked by the Allies, before American consolidation of the southern Solomons is completed. Once the Allies have established numbers of airfields In the area, Japan’s chances of retaking the Islands will have dwindled to a vanishing point. The American forces in the Solomons are stated to be using Bucaneer and Hell-diver dive-bombers and Avenger torpedo-bombers against the Japanese ships. American predictions are that the enemy losses will at least equal those at Midway. Arthur Hale, the radio news analyst, says: "The Allies have regained the Pacific naval superiority, they lost at Pearl Harbour.” He adds, "But before we can say the Pacific is ours, we must smash the Japanese fleet In Its home waters.” The opinion here that Japan has still great strength in the South-west Pacific is sharply underlined by the latest enemy New Guinea landing. "We should not believe that a powerful and persistent enemy will tamely allow reverses in the Solomons to discourage him from fufthdr adventures In the South Seas,” says the Sydney Sun in a leader. "He still has his forward bases in the archipelago and 6n New Guinea itself. The latest landing proves his intention to increase their number and eo encircle our one outpost in this region, Port Moresby.” Pointing out that the enemy can speedily and powerfully reinforce his sea, air and land forces from bases in the Marshall and Caroline Islands, the Sun adds, "If we may look upon the last fortnight’s success as the turn of the tide, the flood of Japanese conquest may still send the spuino of its heavier waves into channels closer to Australia and New Zealand. Before the full ebb, many battles will have to be fought by land, sea and air.”