ANOTHER FEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1942, Page 3

ANOTHER FEAT

BY ALLIED FIGHTER PILOTS OVER EASTERN NEV/ GUINEA. FOUR ZEROS SHOT DOWN & OTHERS DAMAGED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) SYDNEY, August 25. Another fine interception feat by Allied fighter pilots, this time over eastern New Guinea, was reported today. Following Sunday’s spectacular killing over Darwin, our fighters clashed with 13 Zeros and shot down four, hitting and damaging others. One Allied plane was damaged but reached its base. The latest Allied headquarters communique reports a renewed outbreak of fighting from Darwin and Rabaul. After Sunday's costly noon attack, three enemy aircraft made a futile night raid on Monday. Bombs fell into a swamp area.

Kokoda, in Papua, re-entered the Pacific war picture on Monday, when a clash between advance elements resulted in the dispersal of an enemy patrol. Fighting in this area is reported to be still confined to patrols and forward i troops. I Over Japan’s No. 1 south Pacific base, Rabaul, one of two Zeros attempting to | intercept an Allied reconnaissance unit was destroyed. ISSUES AT STAKE OF VERY VITAL MOMENT TO NEW ZEALAND. AN ANTICIPATORY SURVEY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day.. Writing before news of the battle in, the Solomons area had come through, the New Zealand Press Association ccrrespondent at a South Pacific port observed: If the Allied naval forces prevail in the anticipated counter-of-fensive, New Zealand’s security from attack will be guaranteed for a long period. If they fail and have to devote many'months to the recouping of their strength, New Zealand will be placed in an incontestably more dangerous position than she has over been in. Success for the Allies will mean that the base organisation for the next stage of the offensive against the enemy in the Pacific can be advanced over 1000 miles from the present United States-Hawaii-Fiji-New Zealand line. Failure will mean that the base organisation will have to stand where it has been, and that the FijiNew Zealand section will be in an almost inconceivably worse ppsition than it is now. An Allied naval disaster in the Solomons area would undoubtedly precipitate an enemy onrush against New Caledonia and Fiji, and if they went New Zealand’s peril would be complete. This, in plain terms, is what the Solomons hold for Nev/ Zealand. The operation has more of direct importance for the Dominion than it has for Australia. The official communiques about the progress achieved give no ground for pessimism, but the peoples of the South Pacific should nevertheless understand what potentialities a possible failure might hold for them. Several weeks might elapse before the naval issue- in the Solomons area is decided. The lack of action on the part of the Japanese since the capture of the south-eastern islands does not argue lack of intention till the die, is cast and the outcome is known. Ihe present period of suspense must continue, but it should not be regarded as indicating that the Japanese have decided to avoid a naval test.

Meanwhile, and till the crucial time arrives, the correspondent considers that there will continue to be good grounds for watchful optimism. The land operations have apparently gone extremely well, ' though he believes there is; still daily fighting in the islands, and the naval forces have given a sufficient taste of their quality in battle to produce the hope that, provided fortune is beneficent, the impending action will also go well. All eyes must, therefore, remain turned to the sea.