SPEAHEAD-DRIVES BY UNITED NATIONS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 187, 10 August 1942, Page 3

SPEAHEAD-DRIVES BY UNITED NATIONS

I ALASKA - SOLOMONS Simultaneous Action By Combined Forces United Press A.-.soi-iation—Copyright Hec. 11 a.m. LONDON, August 9. An American Navy communique j stales that United States naval and other forces attacked enemy instal-1 lations in the south-eastern part of | the Solomons in force and the attacks , are continuing. Simultaneously naval 1 forces bombarded enemy ships and shore establishments at Kiska, in the Aleutian Islands. A communique issued by Admiral Nimitz at Pearl Harbour, says forces of the United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean areas, assisted by units in the South-west Pacific area, ] launched offensive operations in the | Tulagi area, in the Solomons, on Fri- ■ day. The operations are progressing favourably in spite of opposition from enemy land-based aircraft, and i garrisons. A Pacific Fleet task force ■ bombaided enemy ships and installa- j tions at Kiska on Saturdav. i The latest navy communique states that the offensive operations are continuing against the Japanese forces in the Solomons. Considerable enemy resistance is being encountered. It is still too early to announce the results or the estimate of either our own or the enemy losses. Australian unUs are participating with our forces, the communique states. Aircraft are co-operating in the Solomons attack. It is reported that Australian warships are there, too. As the naval forces moved in to attack. Allied aircraft struck a series of heavy blows at other Japanese bases in New Guinea and New Britain. A correspondent of the Australian Broadcasting Commission says there are indications that in this attack, naval, air and land forces have combined in the biggest offensive action yet carried out by the Allies in the ! South-west Pacific, l.and forces are already in operation. Sepaiate attacks on New Guinea and New Britain have been calculated to prevent Japanese bombers from going to the assistance of their forces in the Solomons. As a result of these raids enemy aircraft are being held on the ground.

Referring to the Solomons battle, Mr. Curtin said that the Washington communique was the consummation of a series of preparations by the United Nations, including Australia, which had been proceedings for some weeks. In the state of the war such as it was, it was impossible to surprise the enemy and simultaneously indicate to the people at large the steps which were proceeding. "In short, we cannot surprise the enemy unless we subject ourselves to surprise," he added.

The War Council knew of this impending operation, which was definitely offensive in conception and revealed the determination of the commanders in this theatre to wage a fighting war at the maximum of resources and at such times and places as sound generalship would dictate. "I can only express the hope that the plans so carcfully prepared, and I have no doubt being so gallantly executed, will be successful."

The recent .Japanese occupation of the undefended and comparatively unimportant island groups north of Australia is overshadowed by the simultaneous American offensives against the Japanese in the Solomon and Aleutian Islands, says the British Official Wireless. The United Nations counter-offensive in the Pacific has begun.