MANY OBSTACLES IN NEW GEORGIA BATILE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 164, 13 July 1943, Page 3

MANY OBSTACLES IN NEW GEORGIA BATILE

CONQUEST OF MUNDA Jap. Fail In Reinforcement Attempt N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. noon. SYDNEY, this day. A deterioration in the quality of Japanese pilots fighting in the Central Solomons is reported by Allied flyers in the area. Japanese Army airmen are now appearing where only navy pilots had previously been employed. However, enemy machines include some of the latest types, among them a new model of Zero fighter. A dispatch from an American war correspondent in the Solomons suggests that the Japanese air base of Munda, New Georgia, may capitulate within a week, but this view has not been supported by Australian correspondents. Estimates of the strength of the Japanese ground forces in New Georgia vary between 5000 and 10,000. The defending troops are scattered in small groups and are difficult to contact. "Enemy patrols, survey parties and emplacements were scattered at all points of the compass around us, making it a difficult task to rout them out and prevent them withdrawing into the bush," wrote one correspondent accompanying a force of attacking American marines. "Other obstacles are provided by the myriad of small islands, uncharted reefs and thousands of inlets where enemy barges may hide all day, moving only at night. Japs May Try Reinforcement "The enemy spent a considerable time surveying such waterways before the war. While it is expected that New Georgia will be cleaned up far quicker than Guadalcanar, it is always possible that the Japanese may attempt a heavy reinforcement, eventually withdrawing into the bush. This will necessitate long mopping-up operations," he declares. So far it appears that the Japanese efforts to bring any large-scale reinforcements to. New Georgia have been repulsed, though small numbers maj' have leaked through. "The appearance of Japanese cruiser and destroyer forces in New Georgia waters indicates that the enemy is prepared to renew the tactics that in the first Solomons campaign cost them 46 ships sunk, nine probably sunk and 45 damaged, as well as thousands erf lives—and didn't save Guadalcanar," says an Australian war correspondent in the area. Savage Night Actions These tactics lead to savage naval night engagements, reverting to the days of Trafalgar* when ships stood close in and fired almost at pointblank range. This kind of naval • warfare, he says, is like two blindfolded men alone in a darkened room, each armed with a knife. It is risky for both. The chances are . that the first blow will decide the victor. And Japanese naval gunnery, despite the results of the Battle of Kula Gulf, is good, even if theJapanese Army artillery is bad, thecorrespondent says, adding: "Every •time we fight an action of this kind we risk our ships. The United States Navy, however, has long felt that it has the edge on Tojo's fleet, and every action fought increases that confidence."