BATTLE FOR AIR FIELDS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23587, 14 March 1942, Page 7

BATTLE FOR AIR FIELDS

Japanese Advance On Australia r.a.a.f. aircraft /■ IN ACTION (Received March 13, 11.20 p.m.) (U.P-A-) LONDON, March 13. Koyal Australian Air Force reconnaissance aeroplanes have orted that three days ago a Japanese naval force was seen Lading for the Solomon Islands, about 150 miles south-east of Rabaul in New Britain. yesterday Australian aircraft attacked the aerodrome at Gasmata. Every bomb fell in the target area. Two Japanese fighters attempted to intercept one bomber, and one of them was damaged. All the Australian aeroplanes returned safely with their ammunition almost exhausted. Reconnaissance flights over New Guinea and New Britain have been continued without loss. “The war in the islands is becoming a struggle for aerodromes says the “Sydney Morning Herald’s” correspondent in Papua. “Every area so far occupied by the Japanese has an aerodrome —Rabaul, Gasmata, Salamaua, Lae. This indicates that the enemy may soon launch a large scale air blitz against 'Australian-held positions, and possibly against the mainland bases. “The Royal Australian Air Force is steadily and relentlessly hammering these potential Japanese bases. Its attacks are as notable for their daring as the enemy attacks are notable for their extreme caution. Where the Japanese aeroplanes bomb from a height of more than 20,000 feet, our aircraft go down to under 1000 feet.

“The unremitting attacks which have begun might temporarily break up the Japanese concentrations on the north : coast of New Guinea, but it would be folly to let it go at that,” the correspondent continues. “A heavier rain of blows must fall on the Japanese every day to prevent the consolidation of their positions. In this vital struggle air power, as in every other Pacific war theatre, will be the decisive factor. “Australian guerrillas who were left behind after the evacuation by our forces of Lae. Salamaua, and other areas on, the north coast of New Guinea are still in action against the Japanese, sniping from jungles, and generally carrying out a small but valuable nuisance campaign. There is no evidence that the enemy landing forces at Salamaua and Lae—regarded as considerable—have any reinforcements.

Australian and Allied forces, and will work in conjunction with the Department of Commerce in maintaining essential civilian food supplies. It will also deal with the export of foodstuffs to Allied and Empire units overseas. Australian shipowners have been ordered to provide portable wireless sets which are capable of being used in case of emergency in lifeboats. They must also provide protection for crews against machine-gun bullets. In addition to allowing Good Friday and Easter Saturday as public holidays, the Federal Government is permitting the customary observance of Anzav Day on April 25. The Australian War Cabinet yesterday decided to take action to deal with strikes—many having occurred in the coal mining industry. The Government will use its powers under the National Security Act in the event of strikes dgainst current awards or agreements to direct any person or persons to perform any work or to do any task which is deemed necessary for the successful prosecution of the war. Italian newspapers, commenting on the situation of Australia, state that Australia does not possess sufficient means of defence and will shortly become the object of a Japanese offensive.

“Possibly the enemy may sooner or later attempt infiltration tactics through the terrible jungles and great ffigupain ranges, but such a task might to be one of the most formidadwßVer faced even by Japan's best jungle fighters. At the moment it appears that the enemy is aiming at tightening his grip on the north coast for the establishment of bases with which to continue the aerial war on s more aggressive scale,” The Australian Minister for Supply (Mr J. A. Beasley) has announced the creation of a Directorate of Defence and Civilian Foodstuffs, with Mr G. A. Davis as Defence Food Controller. This directorate will control the production »nd supply of all foodstuffs to the

"Underpopulated Australia will in future not only serve , Japanese interests but, according to a Berlin-Rome plan, the youtn of the overpopulated Axis nations will obtain the possibility to exploit the richness of this country. The Axis is determined to deprive England of all her monopoly rights in Australia,” states one paper.