ISLAND INVASIONS
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IN CANBERRA SITUATION OF GREAT GRAVITY. THREAT TO NORTHERN PORTS. CANBERRA, January 23. A joint communique issued in Canberra this afternoon by the deputy Prime Minister, Mr Forde, and the Minister of Air, Mr Drakeford, states that during the day Japanese landings have been reported in the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands area. Japanese planes made active reconnaissance flights this morning over widely dispersed points in these areas. There are no reports of any damage. Mr Forde said it must be assumed that a Japanese force had landed at Rabaul, north-east of Australian New Guinea. Clearly Rabaul was intended by the Japanese for use as a base from which to strike further south. Nothing had been heard from there since the wireless went off the air yesterday. Australia, he said, must realise the enormous gravity of the situation. “If the enemy secures a hold near our northern ports we must face the further events with firm resolve, courage and cool heads.” He called for intensification of the tasks in the defence services, factories and mines.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1942, Page 3
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180ISLAND INVASIONS Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1942, Page 3
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