ALL-OUT EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1942, Page 3

ALL-OUT EFFORT

NEEDED IN AUSTRALIAN WAR FACTORIES ARMY MINISTER’S SURVEY FORCES OF UNITED STATES & COMMONWEALTH. BEING BUILT UP ON GREAT SCALE. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) MELBOURNE, May 12. “The fighting services of these two democracies —the United States and Australia —will form the mightieststriking force ever assembled in the Pacific,” declared the Army Minister, Mr Forde. He emphasised the need for greater and still greater production of munitions in Australia. Almost revolutionary changes in the defence of Australia had been made, he said, in the last four or five months. Army personnel had substantially increased. Equipment was rolling off the production lines as never before. Since his arrival in Melbourne, said Mr Forde, he had had discussions with the commander of the Allied land forces in the south-west Pacific, General Blarney, and other high military officers, and had made a survey with them of the equipment position. He iv as pleased with the great advances, though not yet satisfied. More rifles, sub-machine-guns, anti-tank and antiaircraft guns and bigger supplies of ammunition were being made available in ever-increasing quantities. However, though, there had been this big improvement in the equipping of the forces, men in any one locality must not be discouraged if they did not get all the equipment they desired. There was necessarily an order’ of priority based on Australia-wide strategy. The morale of the army, munitions factories and supply workshops had never been better. Every man and woman so employed should strain every nerve to increase the output of war equipment. “We can only secure our soldiers success in battle if we provide them with an adequate 'supply of modern war equipment,” declared Mr Forde. He paid a tribute to the forces of the United States who, he said, were well trained, well equipped and ready for any eventuality. ENEMY CHECKED IN CORAL SEA VICTORY. BUT GREATER BLOW EXPECTED, LONDON, May 12. The Australian Air Minister, Mr Drakeford, has re-emphasised that the Coral Sea victory was only a check to the enemy. Though the R.A.A.F. was better prepared than ever before, it would need all its strength when the blow fell. CAUGHT NAPPING TWO JAPANESE SUBMARINES. .BOMBED BY ALLIED PLANES. LONDON, May 12. The bombing of two Japanese submarines off the north-east coast of Australia is described by a correspondent of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. An Australian aircraft spotted one submarine with its conning tower above the water. Heavy bombs were dropped and the submarine disappeared. All that remained was a streak of oil on the water. The crew of a United Slates plane came upon the other submarine with its conning tower open. Several of the crew were enjoying the sunshine. Bombs were dropped and the submarine crash-dived. SILENCE THOUGHT BEST JAPANESE & THE NAVAL BATTLE. LONDON, May 12: “The Japanese are not issuing further communiques about the Coral Sea battle, which can be considered ended,” said Berlin radio, quoting Tokio, which declared that the American claims were fictitious. “They do not mention the types of the vessels sunk and damaged. The American excuse that the information might be valuable to the enemy is futile. The Japanese are well aware of the composition of the Anglo-American force and of the losses inflicted on it.” ENEMY AIR LOSSES ON NORTHERN APPROACHES TO AUSTRALIA. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 11. It is estimated that since the Japanese began raiding Port Moresby, northern Australia, and other places in the north-western area, they have lost at least 41 aircraft, with crews amounting to 200. Of these 21 were bombers. Thirteen fighters were shot down by fighters, and the remaining seven by anti-aircraft fire. It is considered likely that a further 12 Japanese planes failed to regain their bases. A communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters states that Allied bombers have attacked enemy seaplane bases on Leboyne Island, in the Louisade archipelago. Two hits or near misses were obtained on a large tanker and a four-engined seaplane was damaged. Direct hits were obtained on stores and buildings there. There is no indication that the Japanese have fully occupied the island, but Japanese planes and flying-boats which have been operating from that area are believed to have placed some supplies ashore over which shelters have been erected. Two enemy transports were hit yesterday by Allied air attacks against shipping at Messa in the Solomons. Enemy bombers attacked the aerodrome at Port Moresby yesterday. Slight damage resulted. The enemy attacked the aerodrome yesterday morning in Horn Island, the most northerly point of Australia, without 1 causing any damage.