SOUTH PACIFIC COMMAND

Southland Times, Issue 24884, 26 October 1942, Page 5

SOUTH PACIFIC COMMAND

Vice-Admiral Halsey

Appointed

(Rec. 6.30 p..m) WASHINGTON, October 24 The Navy Department announced that Vice-Admiral William Halsey, jun., has been appointed to command the naval forces in the South Pacific (including New Zealand), relieving Vice-Admiral Robert L. Ghormley. “Observers associated with the Navy express the opinion that Vice-Admiral Ghormley’s recall is rooted in the conduct of the Solomons operations and now anticipate that the defensive will be turned into aggression,” says The New York Times Washington correspondent. “The observers explain that the Solomons battle was at first pictured as an unqualified success, but the other side of the picture was bluntly evident with the belated revelation of the loss of three American and one Australian heavy cruisers. It is known that even this list is incomplete. The New York Herald-Tribune, commenting on the change in command, says: “There is ample unofficial evidence of costly tactical blunders in the Solomons which jeopardized the success of the operations. The American offensive has awakened grave concern over the quality of our leadership. There is room for doubt whether ViceAdmiral Ghormley was primarily responsible for the mistake in the Solomons campaign which has not been concluded or whether the fault lies in the

peculiarly unfortunate division of the Pacific command. The important fact is that the Navy’s action has apparently established the principle of the accountability of commanding officers for success or failure. It is better to have disgruntled officers than massacred divisions and shattered fleets. It is better to have aggrieved officials than chaotic departments. The rule of accountability must be applied to every phase of the war. If Vice-Admiral Ghormley’s fall marks a new departure in this direction it may mean nothing short of the salvation of the republic.” SAILORS DELIGHTED The New York Times Honolulu correspondent says the men of the Pacific Fleet are delighted with the appointment of Vice-Admiral Halsey, who is known as a rough, tough fighting man, the sort of leader the men will follow right to Hell and back. They recall his audacity which amazed the Japanese on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands in the action in January, Vice-Admiral Halsey is not a spit and polish officer who insists on strict observance of regulations. He is more interested in how well the ships shoot. He is not ashamed to wear carpet slippers on the bridge if his feet hurt

Vice-Admiral Ghormley’s new duties will be announced at a later date. No explanation is given for the change. Vice-Admiral Halsey will report to the Commander-in-Chief in the Pacific, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The Associated Press of America says Vice-Admiral Halsey has a wide experience. He was leader of the raiding force at the Gilbert and Marshall Islands in January, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Other changes announced by the Navy Department Vice-Admiral Herbert Leary, formerly commander of the naval forces in the South-west Pacific, has been appointed commander of a task force, in place of Vice-Admiral William Pye, who becomes president of the Naval War College. Rear-Admiral Arthur Carpenter has been promoted vice-admiral and succeeds Vice-Admiral Leary in the Southwest Pacific. AUSTRALIAN TROOPS MAKE PROGRESS Reappearance Of Japanese Air Force (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 25. Australian troops are assaulting Japanese positions near Alola village on the last ridge on the Hell’s Gap trail. Our forces are stated to be making progress despite continued stubborn resistance. The Allied push has gained no substantial ground, however, since a successful flank attack forced the Japanese back from Eora creek last Thursday. Alola is one and a-half miles north of Eora. Beyond Alola the trail drops 5000 feet to Kokoda. The Allied advance has been made with the aid of mortars and machineguns as the heaviest weapons. The Japanese, whose supply problems have diminished with the shortening of thenlines of communication, have been able to use field guns. Boston attack bombers and Kittyhawk fighters bombed and strafed enemy positions between Deniki and Kokoda. Deniki is about midway between Eora creek and Kokoda. The Japanese air force has made a sudden though unspectacular reappearance. Early on Satui'day morning four flights, each of three planes, dropped bombs on Darwin at widely dispersed points. Only slight damage was caused. An enemy air raid on Milne Bay airfield causing neither damage nor casualties was the first since September 9, after the Australians had cleaned out the Japanese who landed in August. When our aircraft attacked an enemy airfield at Lae two aircraft were destroyed on the ground and two were probably destroyed.

AIRMEN ON TIMOR

Messages Sent To Darwin

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, October 24. The story is now told of how a small party of Australian airmen remained on Timor for two months after the Japanese occupation and kept Darwin supplied with valuable information during that time. The story is coupled with the announcement of the award of Membership of the Order of the British Empire to Flight-Lieutenants B. Rofe and A. F. Cole and the British Empire Medal to Corporal L. R, Borgelt. Flight-Lieutenant Rofe was left at Timoi- in command of a small party of officers and men. He organized the destruction of all equipment and stores before retiring to the hills, where for two months he kept the party together and sent messages to Darwin by

a portable wireless set. Although called upon to surrender and living under appalling conditions the party continued to resist until it was rescued

Flight-Lieutenant Cole, as second-in-command, gave valuable assistance and Corporal Borgelt displayed great strength of character, tenacity and courage.