OFFENSIVE AIM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1942, Page 3

OFFENSIVE AIM

CHERISHED BY ALLIES IN SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC. MAY SOON TAKE “JAB OR TWO” AT ENEMY. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) MELBOURNE, July 14. The view that a limited offensive against Japanese outposts in the soulli-west Pacific may soon. ’be launched from Australia is expressed by Mr Edward Angly, the “Sun’s” war correspondent in General MacArthur’s headquarters.

He said: “There is no thought of opening a fully-fledged second front in this area' in the near future. But there is always the possibility that the Australian and American forces may take a jab or two at their opponent.

“The recent air reconnaissances are perhaps a foreboding of more important events in the offing. On the sea there have been reports, of similar feeling-out activities, and perhaps some jockeying for positions.” The Minister of the Army, Mr Forde, in a statement today said, “We must not, and we shall not, be satisfied with a defensive role here in Australia. We must be prepared to make an offensive —an attack in company with our Allies—to drive the Japanese from the Allied territories which they have occupied to the north of Australia.” He emphasised that the objective of attacking the Japanese had to be kept in view in all the war preparations in the south-west Pacific. The working people of Australia, he added, had perhaps more to lose in this war than any other section of the community. He believed, however, that the workers were co-operating more whole-heartedly with the Commonwealth Government today than at any other period in Australia’s history. Australia could not lean on the manhood of any other country; she must be strong and self-reliant by her own efforts.