Action May Spread Far Beyond The Solomons

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1942, Page 3

Action May Spread Far Beyond The Solomons

Special Australian Correspondent.

Pressure expected against Port Moresby.

Rec. 12.30 a-m. Sydney, Aug. 26. Australia echoes American confidence that the battle now joined in the Solomons will result in another Pacific victory for the United Nations. The action has been expected since the beginning of the Allied offerisive in the area three weeks ago and observers here are gratified that Japan has been forced into a naval showdown with control of the South Pacific as the prize, It is emphasised, however, that against such a strong and resolute enemy victory cannot be won without losses. Defeat is

not talked of, but it is realised that the consequences of such an outcome might be disastrous. The heavy air blows, mainly against enemy bases at Rabaul and Gasmata. struck by aircraft of the South-west Pacific comaud, indicates that1 General MacArthur's forces are co-oper-ating in the present action by disrupting the passage of Japanese supplies, particularly air reinforcements. The presence of an enemy convoy with warships and transports off the south-east tip of New Guinea leads to the conclusion that the enemy has plarmed intensified activity in ♦his sector as a supplementary diversion to their Solomons counter-offensive. The fact that the Japanese fighters destroyed were ready to operate from an aerodrome in the Buna area supports this belief. The present action appears likely to be spread beyond Solomon Islands waters and Australian sectors before the battle fer the South Pacific is decided. Heavier

enemy pressure on Port Moresby is foreseen. The fact that the enemy has thrown battleships into the Solomons action suggests that they came from a large force probably based at Truk, in the Caroline Islands, 1200 miles distant. Truk, the main enemy naval base in the Central Pacific, has been the gathering place for most of Japan's major southward aggressive forces. Satisfaction is expressed that the Japanese are being hit hard in their most valuable and vulnerable type of warships — aircraft-carriers. Of 11 carriers in commission at the outbreak of the war six have been sunk, while the latest Washington communique brings the total reported damaged to four.