ALLIED SUCCESS IN SOLOMONS

Southland Times, Issue 24825, 18 August 1942, Page 5

ALLIED SUCCESS IN SOLOMONS

ADVANTAGE IN BATTLE AT SEA (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 17. The sea battle in the Solomons appears to have gone entirely in favour of the Allied Fleet. The conflicting reports of the situation are now becoming clarified. The Christian Science Monitor states: “Progress has been more favourable to the Alhes than the terse communiques admit, with American casualties below expectations. Washington realized the operations may continue for

some weeks, but welcomes the possibility that the Japanese will be tempted to send out a substantial naval force for a fight to the finish.”

The initial objectives of the Allied attack have been achieved. Our forces must now consolidate their gains and rush up reinforcements and supplies to repulse the expected Japanese counteroffensive. Observers admit that it will not be easy to consolidate the gains scattered over a chain of islands 500 miles long and nearer the Japanese strongholds in the mandated Marshall and Caroline Islands than our own. American opinion on the struggle continues to dominate Australian papers. The Christian Science Monitor publishes a cartoon under the caption “This is the combination for Victory.” It depicts an American marine mounted on a kangaroo leaping the Solomons. TULAGI AS BASE Captain Frederick Oliver, The Christian Science Monitor’s naval corrrespondent, points out that from Tulagi offensives can be launched against the Japanese base at Bougainville in the Northern Solomons and then against strongly-held enemy positions in the Bismarck Archipelago. “The success of such operations would remove all danger of a Japanese descent on north Australia,” he adds. “It would be an important step towards the reduction of the Marshall and Caroline Islands. The navy undoubtedly aims at ejecting the Japanese from these islands, as this would open the way for

an attack on enemy communications in the China Sea. Naturally, so extensive a campaign cannot easily and quickly be completed, but we have begun to move. Eventually our goal will be attained.” Senator Millard Tydings, ot Maryland, who had a distinguished record in the last war, broadcasting said: “There is reason to believe that the thrust against the Solomons promises considerable success. There is no doubt that large airfields will soon be built in the Solomons capable of accommodating vast numbers of aeroplanes. From these bases we will strike hard blows against Japanese airfields in New Guinea, thereby greatly strengthening the defences of Australia and permitting a pincer movement aiming at driving out the enemy first from New Guinea and finally the East Indies.”

The danger that the Solomons venture may ultimately divert much greater Japanese strength in the direction of Australia has been foreseen. Byron Darnton, The New York Times correspondent here, says: “Although the Commonwealth’s defences have greatly improved since the dark days the recent revelations about the amount of American aid clearly demonstrates that the defences are not yet 100 per cent, perfect.”