NO CHANGE IN NEW GUINEA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23744, 16 September 1942, Page 5

NO CHANGE IN NEW GUINEA

Patrol Activity Increasing GENERAL BLAMEY VISITS FRONT (Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) ( (Rec. 1 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept 15. Patrol activity on the Owen Stanley mountains front, south of Efogi, is increasing, but the general situation remains unchanged. Low-level Allied air attacks against enemy positions are being maintained. It was revealed to-day that general Sir Thomas Blarney, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied land forces, recently visited the battle zone. He has now returned to Australia. While in New Guinea, General Blarney inspected troops in the field and visited hospitals. He conferred with senior officers. General Blarney expressed confidence that the Japanese would be unable to take Port Moresby. He had found Australian forces confident in the

highest degree, and morale was high. The whole trip had been heartening and exhilarating. General Blarney said that the Japanese had thought out their equipment problems more than the Allies. He added that the Japanese were under orders not to take any prisoners, and to shoot their own wounded rather than allow them fo be captured. Some observers believe that the opposing forces have completed their regrouping and that heavy fighting will soon be resumed. The enemy has made no strong attempt to continue his drive ' since he reached the Efogi area last Wednesday. The need for the maintenance of the Allies' marked air superiority is widely emphasised. This is regarded as vital to the defence of Port Moresby. North of Australia, Allied medium bombers machine-gunned two .enemy cargo ships at Saumlaki .harbour 'on Yamdena Island, in the Tenimber group. Australian Hudsons made the attack. A war correspondent says that no direct'hits were scored, but it is probable that at least one ship was damaged. Since September 12 five enemy cargo ships, cruisers, and six destroyers have been attacked by aircraft under General Mac Arthur's command. Until last week-end only reconnaissance activity had been reported to the north of Australia", and the speed with which the Allied bombers attack every time enemy shipping shows itself in this area is a high tribute to the efficiency and thoroughness of the reconnaissance. Little Enemy Air Activity That the prolonged absence of Japanese air. activity in the south-west Pacific does not mean that the enemy is critically short of aircraft, and that if the Japanese land push across the Owen Stanley range is to develop into a strong back-door' offensive against Port Moresby it must be supported by heavy air attacks, are views advanced by Australian war commentators. They believe Japan is building up air strength for close co-ordination withthe land forces should they succeed in forcing their way to Port Moresby's perimeter defences. If the Japanese move beyond the cover of the jungle they will become exposed to Allied aircraft, artillery, and armoured fighting vehicles. In such circumstances the;-. Japanese-are expected'to throw in the,full weight: of their available air support. Observers point to the fact that twice during the last six weeks the Japanese have raided Port Moresby with a force of 26 heavy bombers, strongly escorted by Zero fighters'. This indicates that in spite of considerable losses Japan still has aeroplanes, though she is using them.sparingly. The small fighter field at Buna was obviously intended to support Japan's present drive, as well as her Milne' Bay landing operations, but it has proved extremely vulnerable. However, Japan has not attempted to put the small Kokoda airfield into operation. It is believed that thjs field may not be used, since flying conditions there are notoriously difficult. The possibility that the enemy may construct airfields in the level Markham Valley area cannot be ignored. ■ Commentators emphasise the brightest feature of the recent fighting is the continued air support given the Australian troops. Though it is admitted that the use of aircraft against a jungle hidden enemy is limited, the success of Kittyhawk fighters at Milne Bay proves that concentrated strafing, even in thick timber, can harass the enemy and inflict substantial casualties. In strafing and low-level' bombing operations along the ravines of the Owen Stanley range, Australian and American airmen have had to run grave risks to get below the clouds which cover the mountains. Mr Cecil Brown, a Columbia Broadcasting Company commentator, who was recently in Australia, believes that the increasing Japanese efforts in New Guinea and the Solomons are caused by a desire to save face. "The latest communiques from the south Pacific show that the enemy is paying a big price for it," he said.- "We are just beginning to reap some of the dividends of our efforts to reinforce Australia and New Zealand. "Unfortunately, they are not yet substantial. The Japanese still hold the strongest points in the south-west Pacific and so far we have not been strong enough to drive them out. But we are holding our own and gaming strength." A more sombre assessment is made by the Washington columnist, Drew Pearson, who says that the position in the south Pacific is serious, particularly in the Solomons, which the Japanese seem intent on recapturing.