BIG ALLIED FORCE

Southland Times, Issue 24821, 13 August 1942, Page 5

BIG ALLIED FORCE

50 WARSHIPS IN BATTLE (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) Fifty Allied warships and 100 transports carrying troops and equipment are believed to be engaged in the battle for the Solomons. Official reports are expected to reveal that the attacking fleet is the largest yet employed by either side in the Pacific war. Fairly heavy losses are expected. The latest Washington messages published here indicate that the Allied land forces have gained some success in the face of strong Japanese counter-attacks. United States marines, now supported by American Army troops, have been engaged in desperate hand-to-hand fighting on the beaches and in the jungle hinterland of the south-east Solomons. Enemy airfields on Tulagi and Guadalcanar are believed to be the primary objectives. With these airfields in our possession Allied land-based aircraft would make it costly for a Japanese attempt to bring up reinforcements. Reports from Hawaii state that the Japanese are fighting fiercely to retain their positions, realizing what a heavy blow the loss of these islands would be t" their Pacific strategy, Australian newspaper correspondents in the United States say this first seaborne offensive in America’s history has sent a wave of confidence through the country. There is an optimistic note in all the newspapers. Although the public is reconciled to heavy losses, it

is keenly gratified to know the Allies have at last gone after the Japanese and are hitting hard. The Solomons battle is known to have been discussed at today’s meeting of the Australian War Cabinet. The latest dispatches are said to be “encouraging, but give no cause for premature rejoicing.” Australia is prepared for losses among her naval units engaged. No Australian troops are taking part in the operations. Allied aircraft of the South-West Pacific command are maintaining their attacks on enemy shipping and reinforcement bases. American war correspondents in Australia in messages to their papers continue to be cautiously guarded in assessments of the value of the present operations. “Although the offensive continues over a 1000 miles arc, it cannot be considered as approach ing a second front conception,” says Lewis Sebring, of The New York. Her-ald-Tribune. “A limited offensive is a more accurate description.” Bryon Damton, of The New York Times, draws attention to restricted supplies reaching Australia. “Some may have thought news of the offensive contradicted news of the Australian equipment position,” he says. “However, the Solomons offensive is being run by Vice-Admiral Ghormley, not by General MacArthur. The announcements setting forth the equipment position in General MacArthur’s area were factual.”