THE LAND FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1942, Page 3

THE LAND FORCES

“The American land strength is not known accurately, but recent' reinforcements of men and tanks aie bolstering the United States marines. One observer places the enemy land strength at 20,000, and says that the United States forces are about equal, the correspondent continues. “Though enemy ships were reported in the Solomons area three days ago, this is the second day in which aerial attacks on Japanese vessels have not been mentioned. The only possible conclusion is that the American air strength has been grounded by the destruction of planes or of the aerodrome's runways. “The Navy Department has not answered questions regarding the activities of the American naval units, and this means either that the Navy is pursuing a course which has not yet matured or that insufficient heavy ships are available to go to the aid of the ground troops. “If Henderson field is unusable, the nearest air base is Espiritu Santo, in the New Hebrides, 500 miles distant, which is too far for the operation of fighters and dive-bombers. Another alternative is to send planes from carriers, but it is not known whether sufficient carrier strength is available.

“A study of the recent communiques indicates that the Japanese have mustered a force north of the Solomons in the last two months which was far greater than was expected by those who planned the marines’ expedition against Guadalcanar. In spite of their losses of 40 ships and 265 planes, the Japanese have sent to Guadalcanar in the last few days forces which are rapidly assuming the proportions of a battle fleet. “The defenders of Guadalcanar, aware of the force being sent there, again tried to ward it off with the air power at their disposal, but it was overwhelmed. “The marines defending Guadalcanar captured 40 American-built 75 millimetre guns recently. It is believed the Japanese captured these guns in the Philippines.”