The Southland Times WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1942. The Operations at Tulagi

Southland Times, Issue 24820, 12 August 1942, Page 4

The Southland Times WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1942. The Operations at Tulagi

WHEN , news was received yesterday that American forces had landed at Tulagi “in the face of stiff Japanese opposition” it began to seem certain that the first stage of the offensive had been successful. Tulagi is so small that it can seldom be found on a map; it is only three miles in circumference. Obviously, there could be no long battle on this tiny island. Once the landing was made the fighting would be short and sharp. But the first clash was only the beginning of an operation which Admiral King has described in a statement as “one of the most complicated and difficult” in warfare. The Japanese counter-attacked “with rapidity,” and “heavy fighting is still in progress.” This could mean that the island has changed hands more than once, or that the battle area is growing wider. The real struggle will be taking place at sea and in the sky, a larger battle which may be long and hard. To understand, as far as possible, the few details already issued for publication, it is necessary to see them against the geographical background. Tulagi is only a speck of rock and sand; but it commands a deep-water anchorage that makes it one of the strategic prizes of the south-west Pacific. The Solomon group is comprised of 10 large islands and the usual sprinkling of atolls. All the larger islands are in a double row from north-west to south-east, covering a distance of 900 miles. The most important cluster is in the south-east, where Ysabel, Malaita, San Cristoval and Guadalcanar enclose an area of sea that is almost as sheltered as a lake. In the centre of the “lake” is the small island of Florida. Tulagi lies off the south coast of Florida, separated from the larger unit by a narrow channel. It can be seen; therefore, that the Japanese can organize their resistance from neighbouring islands. If they are pushed off Tulagi they can fight on Florida, although here, too, they may have small chance of digging themselves in. But at Guadalcanar, a little to the south, the Japanese are believed io have built runways. Their air squadrons can be reinforced from New Britain, in the north-west, and from New Guinea. It is clear from the cable messages that the enemy’s main strength is in the air. The communiques mention heavy Japanese losses in planes, whereas the Americans have suffered most of their own losses in warships. This was inevitable. The invading forces had to enter a hornets’ nest. Only if the enemy had been taken completely by surprise, so that his air squadrons could have been smashed on the ground, or routed in a first whirlwind encounter, could it have been possible to pass unscathed between the sheltering islands.

The enemy resisted strongly, and was able to strike heavy blows against escorting warships., His air strength in this area may have been greater than was expected. But he has already lost a “large number” of planes, and he has been unable to prevent a landing. Those are the two facts which justify a hopeful view of the operations. This is primarily a struggle between seabased and land-based aircraft. Limited support may be given the attacking force by long range bombers operating from North Australia and Port Moresby. But the outcome of the initial, and crucial, battle may depend on the extent to which the Americans can secure the mastery of the skies with naval planes that accompanied the warships. It would be easier to estimate the magnitude of the task if more were known of the extent of the Japanese occupation. If they have established air bases at some of the northern islands the Americans may have only a doubtful foothold, and will find themselves in what they would call a “hot spot.” They can be relied upon to hold firmly to their gains and. to bring up the reinforcements that may be needed. This is not merely a battle for an island base. It is also the first attempt to drive the Japanese out of .'occupied territory. For the first time the Japanese are defending themselves against an attack of the kind they themselves have carried out so often and so successfully in the Pacific zone. The world will be waiting for evidence which may show that the tide of Japanese aggression is at last turning slowly back from high-water level. Mr Curtin has spoken of a “critical day” for Australia. It is also critical for New Zealand, and for the Allies everywhere. Once the Japanese have been decisively beaten, in their own type of fighting, the long-awaited offensive can move forward with a gathering momentum. That is why Tulagi, a new name for most people, has suddenly been given a dramatic and historic significance.