CRITICAL POSITION ON GUADALCANAR

Southland Times, Issue 24878, 19 October 1942, Page 5

CRITICAL POSITION ON GUADALCANAR

LACK OF SEA AND AIR SUPPORT FOR MARINES (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 17. The ever-growing Japanese naval forces are closing in on Guadalcanar. Scanty word received from the island indicates that lack of air and sea support has placed the American forces in a serious if not critical position, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. Japanese bombings and artillery fire have apparently rendered Henderson airfield unusable. The Japanese have made a fresh landing on the south coast of Guadalcanar and are advancing over the mountain against the rear of the American positions. The American land strength is not known accurately, but reinforcements of men and tanks are bolstering the United States Marines. One observer places the enemy land strength at 20,000, and says the United States forces are about equal. Although enemy ships were reported in the Solomons area three days ago, this is the second day on which aerial attacks on Japanese vessels have not been mentioned. The only possible conclusion, says The New York Times Washington correspondent, is that American air strength has been grounded. Referring to the activities of American naval units, he says that either the Navy is pursuing a course that has not yet matured or insufficient heavy ships are available to go to the aid of the ground troops. If Henderson field is too far for the operation of fighters and dive-bombers, the other alternative is to send planes from carriers, but it is not known whether sufficient carrier strength is available. A study of recent communiques indicates that the Japanese have mustered a force north of the Solomons in the last two months far greater than was expected by those who planned the Marines’ expedition against Guadalcanar. Despite the loss of 40 ships and 265 planes, the Japanese have sent to Guadalcanar in the last few days forces which are rapidly assuming the proportions of a battle fleet. The defenders of Guadalcanar, aware that a force was being sent there, again tried to ward it off with the air power at their disposal but were overwhelmed. The Marines defending Guadalcanar captured 40 American-built 75-millimetre guns recently. It is believed that the Japanese captured these guns in the Philippines.