ACTION BREWING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1942, Page 4

ACTION BREWING

OPERATIONS IN SOLOMONS AREA HINTS OF IMPENDING MOVES. BIG STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN. A “New Zealand Herald” correspondent at a South Pacific port suggests that further events are clearly being shaped in the Pacific. If it is the Japanese who make the next move, it will probably be possible to judge almost exactly the effect of the Guadalcanal sea fights on the enemy fleet power by the nature .of the operation, while if it is the Allies who throw the next punch it will undoubtedly be an attempt to stabilise existing offensive springboards by taking the present front further forward. Hints of impending action have not been confined to the land operations in the Buna and Guadalcanal areas. Nor does it necessarily follow that the Allies will complete the reduction of the Japanese holding forces in these localities before trying io exploit the advantages gained by the amazing naval victories off Guadalcanal. STRONG JAPANESE FORCES. On their'side the Japanese, still with strong forces at sea, but facing a harder task than ever if they again attempt a frontal attack on Guadalcanal, may try a diversionary operation, or series of operations, on other Allied bases, particularly air bases. If such an attempt is made, much faith can be placed in the reconnoitring and assembling systems of the Allies. Side by side with the fighting in Nev/ Guinea and Guadalcanal, there now seems to be marching a conflict of grand strategical wits betv/een the rival commands in the Pacific. It is a battle to anticipate each side’s next move and nullify it by preparation or action. Preparational activity is by no means confined to Timor, which may become increasingly prominent in the news, New Guinea and Guadalcanal. Reeling although it has been from the recent blows off Guadalcanal, the Japanese fleet is giving no indications of bottling itself up in a defensive role as did the Germans after Jutland. However, its main task, which is to prevent the development of the gathering American offensive, can reasonably be considered more difficult, unless fortune is completely on its side, than it was before Guadalcanal in September-Octo-ber. ALLIED USE OF RESPITE. This is only one of the reasons for general satisfaction with the use made by the Allies of the advantages conferred on them by the capture and retention of the South-Eastern Solomons. While much has still to be done, while all depends upon the maintenance of the materials of war, and while the possibility of upsets must always be recognised, the preoccupation of the Japanese with the Solomons and New Guinea, as enforced by Allipd operations in these two areas, has given the Allies valuable chances to increase the security, base potentials and operational usefulness of many back areas. Similarly, it has given the United States valuable time to increase its twoocean naval power. Knowing this, and knowing too how time in the Pacific war will finally work completely. against them, the Japanese may at any time attempt another blow anywhere in an effort to disrupt growing Allied base strength. STILL FAR TO GO. It has to be recognised that, notwithstanding their successes, the Allies, have still far to go beiore they can dictate Pacific moves. Meanwhile, in Guadalcanal, so long as the back areas are secure, the Americans have an offensive springboard of still incalculable possibilities. They can be expected to use it. The chain o! Japanese ’ held Solomon, strongpoints from Gizo to Bougainville and Buka, which in Allied hands will open the way to Rabaul and the Carolines, has exposed to imminent danger the Japanese naval, air and army garrisons unless their fleet can secure as sudden a reversal of the South Pacific outlook as did Admiral William Halsey nad his ships and airmen a few weeks ago.