ENEMY OFFENSIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1942, Page 3

ENEMY OFFENSIVE

SUGGESTIVE INDICATIONS. NEED OF HOLDING FIRM IN NEW GUINEA. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, September 16. The broad field action in the South-west Pacific Command area, coupled with the new Japanese drive in the Solomons, is suggested by some observers to indicate the preparedness of the enemy for activity on a grand scale in the South Pacific. “The news that the Japanese are moving considerable forces from the northern theatres of war to strengthen their positions in the Pacific Islands is not necessarily news of a defensive move,” writes the “Daily Telegraph’s” war correspondent, Osmar White. “The Japanese are not keen on defence. More than ever it is vitally important that we should hold our stake in New Guinea.”

LAST HOURS

ATTEMPTS TO SAVE YORKTOWN. SUBMARINE GETS IN FINAL BLOW (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, September 16. Describing the loss of the aircraftcarrier Yorktown, a United States communique says: “She was put out of action by enemy aircraft in attacks on June 4. She' was seriously damaged and listed heavily and her crew was forced to abandon ship. Tugs and other salvage vessels were sent to her assistance and by the morning of June 6 the list had been reduced, and it seemed that prospects of saving her were brighter. The United States destroyer Hammann was placed alongside to assist, but shortly before noon an enemy submarine scored two torpedo hits amidships on the Yorktown and two on the Hammann, which sank shortly afterwards. The enemy submarine was immediately attacked and damaged and probably sunk. Early on the morning of June 7 the Yorktown capsized and sank. Casualties were few and were included in the _ total personnel losses in the Battle of Miaway —92 officers and 215 men —already reported.