NEW THRUST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 December 1942, Page 2

NEW THRUST

MAY BE CONTEMPLATED BY JAPAN. REPORTED PREPARATIONS. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, December 18. The Japanese are believed to be marshalling aircraft and ships, especially transports and cargo auxiliaries for another early great offensive move in the Pacific. The direction of the drive remains obscure, but an increasing number of war news analysts are suggesting that the enemy may merely make a feint against American forces now securely established in the southern Solomons and strike hard at some other strategic point. The comparative lull in'Japanese air activity in the south-east Solomons and the virtual absence of merchant shipping in enemy naval formations attempting to supply and reinforce troops on Guadalcanal and northern New Guinea is construed by some observers as evidence of the Japanese purpose to conserve shipes and planes for a big drive. Despite the expectation of enemy counter-moves and the knowledge of powerful resistance which will be met, it is certain that the Allies are gradually getting their forces into position for further Pacific moves, which, while they may technically be “offensive defensives” are actually carrying the war toward Japan. From Washington comes the suggestion that the next American step forward will be New Georgia, 200 miles north-west of Guadalcanal, with its new fighter airfield designed to provide escorts for bombers on the last stage of their jour* ney toward Guadalcanal from Kieta and Buin. _