SUBMARINE THREAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 172, 3 May 1943, Page 3

SUBMARINE THREAT.

POSITION EAST OF AUSTRALIA.

SHIPPING LANES TO AMERICA.

(Special Australian Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

SYDNEY, May 2

Japanese submarines are striking at Allied shipping in the South-west Pacific. This is announced in a communique from General MacArthur s headquarters, which says: “The enemy has launched a submarine attack in some force in waters east of Austi’alia. Details will be given as soon as their release will not assist in his operations. This will somewhat delay their chronological daily recording in the communique.” Lar"e ocean - going submarines are believed to be operating in attempts to cut the Pacific supply line from America and disrupt shipping between Australia and northern island bases. The Japanese are thought by some observers to have interpreted the recent Washington mission of two of General MacArthur’s generals (Lieut.-General G. €. Kenney and Major-General R. K. Sutherland) as a signal for the incrased flow of seaborne war supplies from the United States. The Australian eastern seaboard is regarded as a favourable field for submarines based on Truk, the big Japanese base in the Caroline Islands, <oU miles north of Rabaul. In the islands north and north-east of Australia, the enemy has a number of refuelling submarines, of which increased numbers have been sighted recently. With the material available, everything possible is being done to combat- the newest Japanese threat. Ships Lost. In the submarine attacks so far reported nine Allied ships have been lost off the Australian coast since last June. Nine Japanese submarines have been destroyed, three probably destroyed, and two damaged. Four of those d°-, stroyed were the midget submarines sunk by depth charges and shelling in Sydney harbour at the end of May last year. ' The latest announced sinking of an Allied vessel by submarine attack in these waters was on April 12. The Japanese are reported to be using the submarines in conjunction with other movements by naval surface craft. They have also been employed in a desperate attempt to supply the starving enemy garrisons on the north Now Guinea coast. Coincident with the announcement of increased Japanese submarine activity, the Shipping and Supply Minister (Mr J. A. Beasley) has told Australians: “It is disturbing that so many people still refuse to recognise the danger from an«enemy within striking distance of our waterfront.. Tliis danger is imminent and threatening. Unless the Japanese are driven back effectively the war will have to be fought all over again within 20 years.” The Deputy-Prime Minister and Minister of the Army (Mr F. M, Forde) said on Saturday, following a meeting of the War Council: “Only a fool will assume that we are out of the wood. There is ample evdenco'' of a substantal concentration of enemy air, sea and land forces to the north of Australia. and of greater submarine warfare in Australian waters. There is a constant menace hanging over this country while the powerful Japanese nation has control over the seas to the north of Australia. “This has enabled them to concentrate more than 200,000 men and sufficient airfields and strips to accommodate more than 1500 aircraft in the perimeter of islands from Timor to Rabaul. Reconnaissance reports indicate an increase in their activity in building additional airfields.”