RAID ON MAKIN

Southland Times, Issue 24836, 31 August 1942, Page 5

RAID ON MAKIN

SEAPLANE BASE WIPED OUT (Rec- peajJl HARBOUR, August 29. Graphic first-hand accounts of the United States Marines’ recent raid on the Japanese seaplane base at Makin Island were given by Lieutenant-Col-onel Evans Carlson, who led the raiders, and Major James Roosevelt, the President’s son, who was second-in-command. The Marines wiped out the seaplane base and installations and destroyed three radio stations, 1000 barrels oi aviation petrol and bombs and foodstuffs, said Major Roosevelt. Only two Japanese out of a force of 300 survived the Marines’ sudden attack. American losses were less than 10 per cent, ot those of the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Carlson revealed that the Marines were on the island 20 minutes before they discovered that the Japanese maintained a continuous alert, with snipers strapped to the tops of 70ft coconut trees. “We fought until 11.30 a.m. the first day when the first Japanese air raiders came over,” he said. “Meanwhile, we had sunk 3500 tons of Japanese transports and a gunboat. Japanese planes straffed and bombed confusedly, dropping more on their own troops than on us. The fight ended at 4 p.m. on the second day. There were 1700 natives on the island and they had been illtreated by the Japanese. The natives looked upon the Americans as deliverers and served as an auxiliary intelligence corps. ENEMY COMMUNICATIONS CUT “One of my hardest jobs was to keep my reserves from entering the firing lines because they all wanted to shoot. By an accident an officer and nien in a boat got lost and came up at the rear of the Japanese. They shot eight and knocked out a Japanese radio station. They spent the day cutting enemy communications, killing Japanese messengers and generally raising hell. The battlefield was some sight when we left —dead Japs were behind almost every coconut tree.” Lieutenant-Colonel Carlson said tne Japanese were able to operate against Samoa and the Australian life-line from Makin. As the Marines had destroyed everything the base was not much use at present. Apparently several British subjects had been on the island when the Japanese landed, but the Marines found no indication of their fate. AUSTRALIANS WARNED Difficult Task In North (Rec. 8 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Aug. 30. “If we are not careful we will probably suffer a baptism of fire on our soil before the best in us is brought to the surface.” This grim warning was given by the Minister of the Army, Mr F. M. Forde, when he hit out strongly against complacency. “We have been getting things too easily in Australia,” he said. “We are too sanguine of success. No good purpose can be served by talking glibly in Australia about the opening of a second front. Our job is to maintain the front already opened in the north and it is going to be no easy task.” Japan had resources and man power equal to those of Germany, said Mr Forde. She also had under control in the conquered territories labour resources vastly exceeding those available to Germany. Her material resources were virtually inexhaustible. Japan could throw into action an army as large as and almost as well equipped as the German Army, providing she could control her lines of communication. However, the Allied position in the South Pacific had substantially improved due to the assistance of the United States and Britain, increased home production, the expansion of the defence forces and the return of the Australian Imperial Force. AUSTRALIAN BUDGET Era Of “Austerity Living” (Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 30. Australia this week ushers in ‘austerity living” for the duration of the war. The new Federal Budget is to be presented this week and the Prime Minister, Mr John Curtin, will give details of the £100,000,000 War Loan to be launched in September. Mr Curtin has called the loan the “greatest challenge to sacrifice ever made to AusThe new Budget will reflect the desire of the Government to discourage all forms of luxury spending. Sugar rationing has now been announced as starting on Monday. The scale has not been stated. Tobacco prices will also be increased and the excise duty raised on all alcoholic drinks. A new Federal entertainment tax will be levied on all tickets costing one shilling and over. The tax on 2/6 tickets will be 9d and on 5/- tickets it will be 1/10, rising to 5/7 on tickets costing 12/-. The tax is estimated to raise £3,000,000, of which £75,000 will be refunded to the States. Austerity meals at cafes and hotels are to be made compulsory by the Federal Government. This is expected to be done by a straight-out ban on menus with more than three courses. The choice of each course will also be restricted to prevent food wastage. Some observers believe that meatless days are likely, but the suggestion has no official confirmation.