GENERAL BLAMEY’S VIEW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 31 August 1942, Page 5

GENERAL BLAMEY’S VIEW

INTENTIONS OF THE ENEMY • Sydney, Aug. 29 The Allied forces hold the advantage in the fighting in New Guinea, as well as in the Solomons. The Japanese attempt to move inland from Milne Bay has been checked. Despite the lack of information about the fighting, the optimistic view expressed by General Blarney is generally reflected. It is emphasised that both actions are part of the one campaign, which must continue until one side or the other is driven out of the South-West Pacific. General Blarney considers the Milne Bay landing part of Japan's general plan for an offensive-defensive action. The enemy is trying to extend his frontiers to deny us land air bases from which to attack his more important bases within the protected zone. The enemy move, General Blarney said, was assisted by bad weather. Under favourable conditions the convoy would have been shattered. Communication difficulties still restrict news of the Milne Bay battle, which is being fought in some of the most treacherous jungle tracts in the world. Rain has fallen almost incessantly and Australian troops have had to wade knee-deep in mud to reach the positions taken up in preparation for the enemy landing. EQUIPMENT CHANGES Adjustments have been made in the Australian soldiers’ equipment, enabling them tn fight in the jungle under the best possible conditions. No estimate has yet been made of the numerical strength of the Japanese landing party n or of the casualties inflicted on the enemy. “Hopes that despite the audacious sally into Milne Bay the tide has begun to turn against the Japanese in the Pacific have been encouraged by a brilliant series of victories won by the Allied air forces this week,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald” in a leader.

“The breaking of the spell of the Zero fighter augurs well for the course of the war in the north.” To reinforce her air strength in the SolomonsNew Guinea sectors Japan is believed to have withdrawn planes from fronts as far distant, as Burma.—P.A.