SETBACK FOR JAPAN

Southland Times, Issue 24834, 28 August 1942, Page 5

SETBACK FOR JAPAN

COUNTER-ATTACK IN SOLOMONS The Press Association’s correspondent at a South Pacific port says the Japanese appear to have lost the first round . of their counter-offensive against the south-eastern Solomons in extraordinarily quick time, unless the action has since developed afresh. Their approach to Guadalcanar does not appear to have been pressed with anything like the determination which characterized the United States Marines’ and Allied naval forces’ assault on the islands almost three weeks ago. It would even seem that the Japanese, failed to disembark any of their forces. However, it should not be taken that the reported withdrawal betokens a decision to relinquish the enterprise. A further assault seems inevitable. The Japanese wounds in this week’s affray, severe and annoying although they will be to the enemy, probably do not do more than touch the main strength of the Japanese naval force which can be brought to bear if Japan decides to pledge it. The losses suffered in the Coral Sea, off Midway and in the two Solomon Islands actions have not yet been sufficient to justify wishful thinking that Japanese naval power is no longer to be feared. MORE TIME GAINED Vice-Admiral Robert L. Ghormley’s fresh success shows that miracles of preparation against a counter offensive have been achieved in the extremely short time he has had at his command since the islands were captured. The general position now seems to be that Vice-Admiral Ghormley and his Marine Corps forces ashore on the islands have won more time in which to prepare the offensive and defensive capabilities of the islands provided possible losses in ships’ personnel, aircraft and general equipment can be replaced and added to quickly. The outlook is at present even more encouraging than it was after the original capture of the islands. This does not mean that it is less fateful to the Allies in the southern areas of the Pacific. A further assault must be expected. It will probably be made in greater force than this one. Although pressed back, the Japanese still possess terrific strength and have gained valuable knowledge. The period of suspense has not been ended by the latest engagement.

LAND FORCES WHOLLY AMERICAN The correspondent also says that the countries whose fate is being decided in the Solomons should also recognize that so far their champions have been preponderantly American. The landing forces have been completely American and the naval forces Allied in composition to only a minor degree. He says that as a result of the United States’ commitments in other theatres of war, the time must come when other countries in the Pacific theatre take their part in the offensive plans. The Allied countries must therefore be prepared for further calls upon their man-power. If the south-eastern Solomons are finally held by the Americans and developed into an offensive utility, the future offensive stages must be undertaken by troops best trained for the difficult and hazardous tasks ahead. This will mean that other troops must be used, at least for occupational purposes. In the meantime the fight for the Solomons has by no means ended. Weeks may still elapse before the issue is placed beyond doubt.

MILNE BAY NOW OCCUPIED JAPANESE MOVE IN NEW GUINEA (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 12.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 27. Japanese forces have landed at Milne Bay, on the south-east tip of New Guinea. General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters have announced that our forces anticipated the movement and are in contact with the enemy. The landing was made with heavy losses in the face of fierce attacks by Flying Fortresses, Marauders, medium bombers and Kittyhawks. Extremely bad weather probably assisted the enemy landings by hampering Allied air attacks, but the convoy has since taken a relentless hammering. Our planes have sunk a transport, heavily damaged, and probably sunk a cruiser, damaged a destroyer and six landing barges and also have destroyed and started fires among supplies ashore. Our air attacks are reported to be continuing, despite adverse weather. They are being pressed home from low altitudes. Milne Bay, near Samarai, is 220 miles east of Port Moresby and 420 miles from the closest point on the Australian mainland. The convoy from which the enemy landed was attacked by our fighter-bombers near the Trobriand Islands on Tuesday, when a gun-boat was sunk and two transports were strafed. The statement that the convoy was small is believed to indicate that the enemy troops were landed not in large numbers. MOVE ANTICIPATED Milne Bay offers sheltered waters and a move by the enemy in this direction had been anticipated since the Buna landing. The bay is about 10 miles wide across the entrance and 20 miles deep. The foreshores are flat and are fringed with mangroves. There are no big settlements, but the area is one of the most cultivated in New Guinea. Several crocodile infested creeks run into the bay. The enemy landings were made without air support. Some observers suggest that this lack of air support is connected with the spectacular Allied coups against grounded Japanese fighters at Buna. Thirteen planes were destroyed in raids on Tuesday and on Wednesday six more were added, making a total of 19 in two days. The fact that the Japanese were caught off guard on two successive days supports the contention expressed by the headquarters spokesman that it will be difficult for the enemy to establish an air base in this sector of Papua in face of our air opposition. Our aircraft flying across the Owen Stanley Range give little warning of their approach to the Japanese. Conversely, our ground forces on the northern side of the ranges are able to give adequate warning to Port Moresby when enemy aircraft are about to make attacks. JAPANESE LOSSES LONDON, August 26. A United States naval communique describes the situation in the Solomons as encouraging. A Japanese attack on Guadalcanar has been repulsed with very heavy losses. It is now known that, in addition to the cruiser already reported to have been left burning, six more. Japanese ships have been left ablaze by United States planes. This brings the total of Japanese ships damaged to 14. Twelve Japanese planes were destroyed on Tuesday for the loss of one American machine.