U.S. NAVAL FORCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 19 October 1942, Page 2

U.S. NAVAL FORCES

DEPLOYING TO MEET ATTACK PLANES AGAIN OPERATING FROM GUADALCANAR (Rec. 2.0 p.m.) Sydney, This Da.y The Japanese attacking; Guadalcanar are expected to launch new air and naval offensives as soon as their land forces are in position, but the fact that the United States Navy has given definite statements of its observations of enemy operations until Friday indicates that the American forces are now deploying to meet a three-way attack and if possible decide the Solomons issue once and for all. This opinion is supported by the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” who says although noth ing can be announced of America.* movements to meet the Japanese threat observers have been encouraged by the latest communique report that after two days silence United States planes were operating from Guadalcanar on Friday. So long as the defenders’ air strength is not seriously impaired they have a great advantage, the correspondent adds. The fact that the United States Navy is not likely to have been caught unprepared for the situation “which it must have anticipated and indeed desired to bring about” is stressed by the Sydney “Morning Herald” in a leading article. The paper says effective aid can and will be sent to the besieged United States forces in the Solomons.—P.A. Special Australian Correspondent. NE\VSPAPI R COMMIiNT The New York paper “P.M./’ declares that Japanese forces on Guadalcanar. including troops puiled from New Guinea, probably outnumber the reinforced American forces by at least ten to one. “Furthermore, latest reports indicate that the Japanese have command of the sea as well as air supremacy.” “P.M/’ warns that the only cheering notes are the statements by Colonel Knox. Secretary of the Navy who expected that the island could be held, and Admiral Nimitz, O.C. Pacific Fleet, who was optimistic even in the face of the enemy outgunning us to a dangerous extent. “P.M.” says America is in considerable danger of losing one of the greatest actions in the Pacific because Japan has temporarily shelved all other activities in this theatre. Not only have they concentrated the greatest naval ioi'ce they have ever risked (probablv a full battle fleet), but they also hold overwhelming superiority in other departments. The Japanese have apparently decided to make a test of their destiny in the Solomons, says the New York "Herald-Tribune.” predicting in a leading article that if Japan is initially repulsed she will keep coming back with ever stronger forces . “The Japanese feel that if they cannot recover these bits of territory they are going to lose their new empire piece bv piece and might as well know it now. The’Japanese are well aware of the strategic loss suffered at Guadalcanar, but they are more concerned over the psychological effect on their armed forces if they cannot retake this prize. One of Japan’s mosfrprecious military assets is the fixed belief that no power on earth can take territory from them. This faith in Japan’s destiny as a conquering nation, which will enable a soldier to

live his life in the knowledge that it is buying the Emperor and people ever lasting aggrandisement, must be kept untarnished at any cost.” The “Herald-Tribune” says if the Americans are thrown cut of the Solomons Japanese morale would soar to unprecedented heights. Men commanding Japan’s counter-offensive no doubt feel that Japan's whole future of world power is at stake and will take any chances such a consideration dictates. —P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.