BOMBING OF BUKA

Southland Times, Issue 24840, 4 September 1942, Page 5

BOMBING OF BUKA

LULL AT KOKODA (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 3. Bombers of General Douglas MacArthur’s command struck a violent blow against the Japanese in the Northern Solomons on Wednesday. Five tons of bombs \yere dropped on the air-fields, runways and installations at Buka. A destroyer was also attacked, but the results were not observed. Other Allied aircraft made offensive sweeps in the New Guinea area, bombing and strafing enemy positions at Kokoda and the aerodrome at Lae. The Japanese did not retaliate against these attacks. Their air force in the South-west Pacific was completely inactive. Today’s communique also reports a lull in the land fighting in the Kokoda sector. Some reports say the enemy is moving troops from Salamaua towards Kokoda. The enemy’s thrusts towards the Kokoda gap, which crosses the Owen Stanley Ranges at a height of 7000 feet, are regarded as reconnaissances in force along a fairly broad front. The enemy is endeavouring to find a weak point in our defences, but there is no indication of any break in the Allied lines, which have now been held against the Japanese for more than a month. The enemy will still have to climb about 4000 feet of the world’s most difficult jungle country to reach the gap. While an intensification of his efforts can be expected, the number of troops involved here is limited. MOPPING-UP CONTINUES Reports from Milne Bay merely state that the Australian troops are continuing to “round up isolated enemy detachments in the jungle.” Wednesday’s Allied raid on Buka, which is regarded as the next probable objective of the American drive in the Solomons, broke a lull in that sector. Buka is about 475 miles north-west of Tulagi and 200 miles south-east of the main Japanese South Pacific base at Rabaul. It is expected that the present Solomons stalemate cannot long continue and the opposing forces must soon join in a major battle. Before the Japanese menace to Australia and New Zealand from the east is removed it is felt here that Buka, and then Rabaul, must .be captured. This would entail smashing the Japanese naval power in the South Pacific and would leave the way open for drives against the enemy’s more northerly Pacific bases in the mandated Marshall and Caroline Islands. Observers warn that each successive step of the way will present increased difficulties and prove increasingly costly in men, ships and aircraft. To forestall Allied blows against Buka and Rabaul the Japanese must make urgent efforts to reduce Port Moresby. Heavier action in the New Guinea sector must soon be expected. A move by either side is likely to be quickly followed by the greatest sea and air battle of the war.

BETTER OUTLOOK. IN PACIFIC AID FOR AUSTRALIA (Rec. 11.40 p.m.) CANBERRA, Sept. 3. “The Pacific outlook is much brighter than appeared possible six months ago,” the Minister of External Affairs, Dr H. V. Evatt, told the House of Representatives today. The number of combat aircraft received in the South-west Pacific war theatre since March had been very substantial, far beyond the wildest hopes of the black days of February. Dr Evatt revealed that in London he made special arrangements with Mr Churchill bearing on the defence of the South Pacific, including a special contribution of certain undisclosed war equipment. Dr Evatt told a story of a conversation between Mr Churchill and a high ranking officer when Dr Evatt had put forward a certain equipment proposal. The officer was not over-enthusiastic and said Dr Evatt’s proposal would hurt another high ranking commander. “Well,” said Mr Churchill, “unless it hurts him it is not going to be much use to Australia and New Zealand. It has got to be done.” Dr Evatt paid a tribute to the assistance of the United States, which, he said, was not measured alone in aircraft, munitions or personnel. There had been an important increase in the quantity of materials received from the United States for the manufacture of munitions in Australia. This included machine-tools. Answering a question; “Is the Government satisfied with the position in this theatre of war?” Dr Evatt said: “The Government would never be satisfied until the enemy is beaten back and finally overthrown. There is too much at stake to ease up for a moment.” MR TOGO’S DEPARTURE Effect On Foreign Policy NEW YORK, September 2. The Tokyo official radio announces that the Prime Minister, General Hideki Tojo, has stated that there will be no alteration in Japan’s foreign policy as a result of the change in Ministry. Wilfred Fleisher, The New York Herald Tribune’s former Tokyo correspondent, says that the resignation of the Foreign Minister, Mr Sigenori Togo, resulted from an internal policy dispute whether to move against Siberia or India. Mr Togo opposed the attack on Siberia, but was overruled by General Tojo. A Chungking message from the correspondent of the American Associated Press says that foreign observers who believe that the Japanese are preparing for major action against Russia point out that five Japanese divisions were moved northward during August to bolster the Kwantung army while a large Japanese fleet has been concentrated in northern waters. The leading Chinese-English newspapers, The Takung Pao and The National Herald, say that the resignation of Mr Togo and his deputy, Mr Harohito Nishi, portends a new and bold move by the war party. Dr T. V. Soong, China’s delegate on the Pacific War Council, informed the council that Japan was preparing to move against Russia. At the meeting of the Pacific War Council today the resignation of Mr Togo was discussed according to a statement by the British Ambassador, Lord Halifax. There was also some discussion on possible Japanese strategy.

MR FRASER AT WAR COUNCIL MEETING (Rec. 8.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 2. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, attended a meeting of the Pacific War Council. Special attention was centred on the possibility of Japan attacking Siberia. The Chinese delegate, Mr T. V. Soong, told the Press that it was purely a matter of time until the Japanese hurl their armies against the Russians.