FIRST OBJECTIVE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1942, Page 5

FIRST OBJECTIVE

SOLOMONS CONQUEST

Further Assaults Expected On

Jap.-held Islands

United Press Association —Copyright WASHINGTON, August 17. A conquest of the south-eastern Solomons by the navy is developing, states an Associated Press correspondent. This is regarded in TTashington as opening a new period of island lighting over the supply lines of the Western Pacific. This will involve not only further American assaults on enemy-held islands, but probably a continuation of Japanese efforts to win a position from which American communications can be severely harassed. Latest reports state that the position is now becoming much clearer and that the United States forces have gained their first objectives. The sea battle is also stated to have resulted in favour of the combined United States and Australian Fleet. American casualties are said to be much below expectations. The immediate purpose of the Solomons action is described as twofold. (1) To secure the American ft-pply line to Australia and New Zealand against Japanese offensive thrusts. (2) To provide an advance base directly menacing enemy operations in the centres to the north-west. Thus both military and naval authorities assign only limited objectives to the Solomons offensive, indicating that a big push for victory in the Pacific has not yet started. Meanwhile the navy continues to maintain official silence regarding the progress of operations in the Solomons. After 10 days of furious fighting some observers believe the battle for the Solomons is approaching a crisis. However, in the absence of official news, reports are conflicting. Latest information from the battle area indicates that, the main enemy naval force has rot yet come into conflict with the Allied Fleet, having been kept at bay by Allied aerial attacks. The Japanese are known to have brought to the scene naval reinforcements from their base at Truk, in the Caroline Islands, north of the Solomons Group. The report that United States forces have established a bridgehead on a fifth island, either New Georgia or Ysabel, has not yet been confirmed. Strong enemy opposition is being met with at this bridgehead. Indications are that United States forces are driving north on both sides of the Solomons Group. None of the islands attacked is yet fully occupied.