Great Land, Sea and Air Battle

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 17 October 1942, Page 5

Great Land, Sea and Air Battle

POWERFUL ENEMY NAVAL UNITS Cruiser Damaged by Flying Fortress London, Oct. 16. The great sea, land and air battle for the Solomons is now in its fourth day and 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 of this theatre. Using some of their most powerful naval units, combined with considerable air strength, the desperate Japanese efforts to regain their lost Solomons positions so far have cost them considerable losses—and it is plain this is the major showdown 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 Guadalcanal 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 Japanese losses so far announced in the Solomons fighting is now 58 ships sunk or damaged, and 33 planes destroyed.

It is believed here that this time Japan will make no strategic withdrawal and her retirement from the present battle will only be forced by the decisive and complete defeat of her air and naval strength. This opinion is confirmed by the New York “HeraldTribune" which says: “The Guadalcanaland Tulagi area is one of the most important strategic positions in the SouthWest Pacific. Its continued possession by the United Nations means that the road is open for attacks north-west-ward through the islands towards the Japanese base of 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 the losses entailed." SUITABLE LANDING PLACE Where Japanese ground troops have mainly landed on the north coast of Guadalcanar is hilly and heavily wooded with thousand-foot peaks close to the shore. It is a suitable place for landing and is believed to be inaccessible to the American forces protecting Henderson Airfield. These Japanese troops have apparently struck overland to engage the Americans in bitter fighting in their attempts to repossess the airfield. EXPERIENCED DEFENDERS The American defenders are experienced in jungle warfare and have had 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 I were driven back into the jungle when I American marines landed on 7th Aug-} ust. ABILITY TO REINFORCE The ability of one side or the other to reinforce its strength may j be of 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 •nemv 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 the reinforcement contingency has been anticipated by the Allied Command. A late announcement says American installations on the New Hebrides had been shelled by Japanese warships. Some commentators suggest submarines and not surface vessels may have made the attacks. LAND-BASED AIR POWER Since land-based air power is of the greatest importance in naval operations it is possible that the possession of Henderson Airfield 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 this airfield must be the first objective of the Japanese drive, which is described as having “grim significance." H. V. Kelatenborn, American news analyst, says it is clear that the American forces are engaged in a major combat, but “we can take it for granted we have sufficient sea, land and air forces there to make it a real battle.” He believes American naval strength in the area is equal to the JapanesdT LACK OF INFORMATION Predictions of the outcome of the fighting are generally avoided because of the paucity of factual information, but another well-known American

; broadcast commentator, Gabriel Heatter - claims the battle for Guadalcanar will ; prove the great turning point of the ’ Pacific war. “Guadalcanar may yet • prove a suicide island for the Japan- ; ese. and I think I can promise you it - will." he declared. ENEMY CRUISER DAMAGED Evidence that the air forces under ‘ General MacArthur’s command are ? playing their part in the present Solo mons fighting is contained in to-day's J communique report that at Faisi (Bou--1 gainville Island), Flying Fortresses • dropped a 5001 b bomb on an enemy ) cruiser from a low altitude. The vessel was evidently seriously damaged and stopped dead. A Fortress flew through heavy anti-aircraft fire to strafe the decks. Japan's shortage of cruisers is her greatest naval weakness, says the Syd- j ney “Morning Herald" military cor- ' respondent. This is the sixteenth cruiser j so far reported damaged. At the out- i break of war Japan is believed to i have had 44 cruisers. It is probable, j however, that there is some duplication in the claims relating to damaged cruisers. The lack of adequate cruiser protection for bigger and more powerful units may be an important factor in the present naval battle. “The Solomons have become the cockpit of the Pacific,” says the Sydney “Sun," and are gradually drawing greater and greater forces until the clash has become one of first-rate magnitude.”—P.A.