First Time They Have Bolted in Pacific War

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 208, 1 September 1942, Page 5

First Time They Have Bolted in Pacific War

(Special Australian Correspondent.) Received Tuesday, 12.20 p.m. SYDNEY, Aug. 31. 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’s 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 the later editions the leading article was changed for one headed “The Victory of Milne Bay." Sunday’s communique from General MacArthur’s Headquarters reporting the arrival of eight Japanese warships In Milne Bay, said: "Reinforcements may have landed.” Whether the dramatic twist in the developments came as a result of subsequent events is not yet clear. However, war correspondents believe 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.

The fighting in Milne Bay is continuing though it is believed now to have assumed tne nature of mopping-up operations by Australian troops. The full story of the Allied success is eagerly awaited here. While the deteriorat.on of the New Guinea situation reported on Sunday was unexpected, no less unexpected is the s.gmficant improvement reported to-day in ail 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 neavy casualties. Observers believe the enemy was feeling out our positions and the casualties were proportionately rather than numer.cal.y great. At Salamaua Japanese ground activ.ty is increasing but the movement is believed to be confined to small groups of enemy troops and combat has not been reported. The Sun warns: “Elat.on over the 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 resilent. After a setback he does not draw off and lick his wounds.” It is suggested that he may seek a new point at which to Strike. Tribute is widely paid to MajorGeneral C. A. Clowes, who commands the Milne Bay forces. Now 50 years of age, he gained the D.S.O. in the last war. A Duntroon Military College 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 the nine Australian brigadiers recalled after nearly two years’ service in the Middle East and was promoted to major-general. Our new and marked air superiority is recognised as 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 without air opposition but it is believed that had the conditions permitted air attacks the enemy bridgehead could not have been made Similarly the eight warships which reached the flay on Saturday night were protected by adverse weather making an air attack impossible. The sole Allied air activity reporter during the past 24 hours was an attaok by heavy bombers on an enemy cruiser and a transport at Rabaul. The results were not observed. Two enemy raid 6 have been made on Darwin but bot.. were ineffectual, the bombs falling harmlessly in the harbour and mangrove swamps. "The latest news is encouraging but it does not minimise the seriousness of the position confronting Australia,” said thv Minister of the Army (Mr. Forde), commenting on the Milne Bay sucoess. "Though the Government’s military advisers have the New Guinea position web in hand the entire situation has Justifies the drastic action taken by the Governhient to speed up war production and increase the size of the fighting forces, ano tne transfer of employees from less essential industries to war work must continue.” Mr. Curtin said the success was gratifying but he emphasised that controversy about military operations must be avoided. Surprise was essential to success and controversy often destroyed that element. The Opposition leader (Mr. Faddenj said the sucoess was the “most heartening news we have had for a long time.’