NEW ZEALANDERS IN SOLOMONS

Southland Times, Issue 24875, 15 October 1942, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS IN SOLOMONS

PILOTS ACCOMPANY AMERICAN FORCES (Rec. 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 13. New Zealand pilots are with the American forces in the Solomons, according to Rear-Admiral John McCain, who has just returned from the islands. He made this statement at the Bress conference of the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Frank Knox. Apparently the New Zealanders have not yet been in action, as Rear-Admiral McCain stated that they were awaiting planes. He paid a tribute to the New Zealanders’ fighting qualities. Rear-Admiral McCain’s assertion, “We can hold the Solomons and even expand our gains,” is based on his belief that the United States forces have shown sufficient superiority .in material and men to justify the assertion.

Rear-Admiral McCain said the Japanese had not used artillery on Guadalcanar within his period of service. They had succeeded on one occasion in getting four pieces of light artillery ashore, but the Marines had captured them next morning. He said that in one period from August 21 to September 17 the Japanese lost 133 planes over Guadalcanar Island to 25 American planes. Rear-Admiral McCain himself commanded the air scouting and striking forces other than the carrier-based planes in the Solomons area. His head-

quarters were on Espiritu Santo Island, in the New Hebrides, 565 miles from Guadalcanar.

JAPANESE AERIAL STRENGTH

Rear-Admiral McCain made two trips to Guadalcanar. He said there was evidence that the Japanese were actually declining in aerial strength in the Solomons. He instanced the inferior types of planes now being used by the Japanese and their slowness in replacing losses. Some biplanes and seaplanes used by the Japanese could never have been used unless the enemy was entirely regardless of human life or was short,of equipment. Duroig a raid on September 13 several Japanese bombers and fighters were shot down. An examination of these planes showed that they were absolutely new, just off the assembly lines. The lacquer covering looked as if it had been done only a few hours before. The rubber gaskets, which deteriorated quickly in the tropics, were not at all worn or cracked.

Rear-Admiral McCain added: “These things might indicate that the enemy is getting short of planes, but I would not count on it.”

Asked about the effectiveness of the American air attacks on Japanese bases in the North-western Solomons, RearAdmiral McCain replied that he thought the enemy’s seaplane base at Rekata Bay, on Santa Ysabel Island, had been made untenable and the enemy base on Gizo was definitely untenable. Asked whether the Japanese had been able to land heavy reinforcements on Guadalcanar, particularly artillery units, he replied: “The Japanese had put in nothing heavy in there up to the time I left.” PRESENCE CONFIRMED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 14. When the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, was asked about New Zealand airmen in the Solomons, he said: “I confirm that New Zealand airmen are in the combat area and doing their part.”