JAPANESE FLEET THWARTED

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

JAPANESE FLEET THWARTED

Australian Opinion (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 27. The attempted counter-invasion by the Japanese of the American-held Solomon Islands will be thwarted. This is the opinion of observers in Australia, reviewing the progress of the battle. The latest news of the great, sea and air battle suggests that the Allied forces have the distinct upper hand and it is possible that major units of the enemy invasion fleet have already been forced to retire, leaving smaller vessels attempting to carry on. Flying Fortresses, as well as carrier-based aircraft, nave carried the attack seaward and dealt staggering blows to the strong Japanese striking force. . The Washington correspondent ot The New York Times suggests that the fact that the enemy force approached its objectives from the north-east supports the belief that the enemy came to rendezvous somewhere in the Caroline Group, probably Truk. From there the Japanese are believed to have swung wide eastward and then turned to the south-west, attempting to escape detection by American reconnaissance planes. The enemy’s hope of making a surprise raid, however, has not been realized and it is believed the enemy’s main force was intercepted before reaching the immediate neighbourhood of the Solomons. _ American observers note that ivir Roosevelt was in an extremely good mood during his Press conference, which they believe was due to the “pleasant reading” of the more detailed, reports of the battle reaching him. IMPORTANCE OF OFFENSIVE “If the Allies can maintain their offensive in the Solomons and push forward, the security of the South Pacific will be ensured,” says Rear-Admiral Georges Thierry d’Argenlieu, who arrived in Sydney from New Caledonia on an official visit. Rear-Admiral d’Argenlieu said he had discused the war situation with Rear-Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, Allied Commander-in-Chief in the South Pacific, and he believed that the protection of the Solomons, which have such an important strategic position, meant also protection for the rest of the South Pacific, particularly New Caledonia. He considered the position in the Pacific War had improved to such an extent as to permit him to make a goodwill visit to Australia and New Zealand. Discussing the question of a second front in Europe, Rear-Admiral d’Argenlieu said it might be extremely useful, but it was difficult to select a place from which to make an offensive. “Nothing can be done that will be useful to finish the war until Africa has, been cleared of Italians and Germans,’ he said. “Africa is the best base from which to launch an offensive in all sorts of directions.” Rear-Admiral d’Argenlieu said he believed the Vichy Fleet would never reach the hands of the Germans. CLAIMS BY JAPANESE American Marines Derisive (Rec. 6.30 pan.) SYDNEY, August 27. The American forces of occupation in the Solmons are in good spirits and deride the Japanese claims of victory, according to Sherman Montrose, the American correspondent who accompanied the successful Marine units and spent two days ashore. “We are all laughing about the Japanese claim to have sunk 25 ships,” he said. “Even though news is scarce hereabouts, we got that over the radio.” Rain and heat had produced oppressive weather in the wild jungle covered islands, said Mr Montrose. Japan’s all-out bid to retake the Solomons is interpreted as conclusive proof that she attaches the greatest importance to Tulagi and the surrounding area. One military expert writes: “American possession of these bases represents a springboard from which the Allies can invade and recapture positions in New Britain and New Guinea as a preliminary to an all-out drive north to Japan itself. If the Japanese retake the Solomons they will be provided again with a springboard from which to attempt further advances southward to the New Hebrides and New Caledonia in order to isolate Australia and New Zealand.”

JAPANESE DEFEATS Plans May Be Revised (Rec. 11.10 p.m.) CHUNGKING, August 27. The American success in the Solomons and the Chinese victories in Chekiang and Kiangsi may be expected to force Japan to revise her war plans radically, says the Central Daily News. Quoting official sources, the paper declares that both were capital victories. It added that as the Solomons battle is apparently following the lines anticipated by the Allies the outcome is in very little doubt in view of the United States victories in the Coral Sea and at Midway. The Central Daily News declares that the Japanese have set fire to Chugsien, indicating the collapse of the Japanese defence is imminent. It is revealed that the American air raid on Yochow on August 8 lasted 12 hours. Nearly 500 Japanese were killed and fires were caused in enemy barracks. The enemy is constructing air raid shelters in many parts of Hunan.