NAVAL CLASH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1942, Page 3

NAVAL CLASH

EXPECTED AT ANY TIME,

MAY HAVE OPENED ALREADY.

ACCORDING TO AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT.

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) PEARL HARBOUR, Sept. 16. The United Press of America correspondent, Mr Joe Custer, says. “A huge Japanese fleet soon may clash, perhaps already has clashed, with the formidable United States naval forces in the Solomons. Even before my return to Honolulu from the Solomons there were reports that the Japanese were massing the largest available fleet for a sweep southward, to drive the Americans from the Solomons and possibly to continue southward and attack New Caledonia. “Such an offensive would place the Japanese squarely athwart the American supply lines to Australia and the whole South-West Pacific theatre. American troops are stationed in New Caledonia against such a contingency. The Navy's latest Washington communique indicates the presence of a large Japanese naval force, by referring to surface craft shelling American positions on Guadalcanal'. Since the United States sent one of its largest naval task forces to the Solomons, to support the landings in August, it would seem likely that a major sea battle is in the offing, if it has not already been joined. There is no doubt that the Japanese are determined to recapture the Solomons. While with the fleet in the South-West Pacific I heard a story that the Emperor Hirohito swore that the Japanese would recapture the Solomons, even if he had to give up his palace.”