NEW GUINEA AND SOLOMONS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23749, 22 September 1942, Page 5

NEW GUINEA AND SOLOMONS

ALLIED EFFORT CRITICISED

UNIFIED COMMAND AGAIN URGED

(Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) SYDNEY. Sept. 21. "We are still on the defensive in the south-west Pacific, in spite of the fact that our commanders have resolved in favour of an offensive strategy,” says the military correspondent of the New York "World-Telegram.” “Official boasts of Allied supremacy in this area are premature,” he says. "The indications are that we are not outmanned either in the Solomons or New Guinea. Why, then, after six weeks’ preparations in the Solomons and many months in New Guinea, are we still unable to prevent enemy offensives and unable to roll them back as planned? “There are many explanations, some of which are military secrets,” says the correspondent, “yet one thing wrong that is publicly known is the divided command. The closely-related front is split in two. “That is unfair to General MacArthur, Admiral Nimitz, and ViceAdmiral Ghormley, any one of whom is qualified on his record for a unified command. Why then cannot the United Nations have the united command in the south-west Pacific originally demanded by Australia and pledged by Washington?" In Australia there is some reflection of this American opinion that the United Nations have not done as well in the south-west Pacific war theatre as they should have done. The Australian people would only be satisfied by the facts about New Guinea, and not by mere assurances, declared Mr J. P. Abbott, a member of the House of Representatives. He questioned whether the Army Minister (Mr F. M, Forde) had the dynamic drive necessary for his position, and whether he was prepared to deal ruthlessly with anyone who blundered or failed in his duty. “The first plain fact the Government and the military high command should realise is that the Australian people are mystified and deeply worried over the situation in New Guinea,” said Mr Abbott. He also asked if it was true that - the Australian troops in New Guinea had not been adequately trained and equipped for jungle fighting.

The Australian people would be satisfied only when they saw “the infiltrators themselves being infiltrated and driven back across the hump of New Guinea,” and civilians could not understand why the Australians fighting in the Owen Stanley range had not been given intensive jungle .training long ago, said tie Deputy-Leader of the Federal Opposition (Mr W, M. Hughes). “Our men’s equipment must be lightened, their uniforms dyed green, and their rations compressed,” he said. “They must be led by fiien who understood jungle tactics and who, if they are outflanked, will remember that if the Japanese are between them and Port Moresby the Australians are between the enemy and his base, and so can threaten his rear, attack nis supply column* and make him uncomfortable until the forces from Port Moresby can overwhelm him.”

JAPANESE PLANES OVER INDIA

INCREASED ACTIVITY FROM BURMA

(Rec. 11.15 p.m.) NEW DIJLHI, Sept. 10. Japanese air activity over India has recently increased considerably. More Japanese reconnaissance aeroplanes have been seen over Bengal, and Royal Air Force bombers are meeting increased fighter opposition over Akyab. The Japanese are reported to have recently transferred Indian frontier fighter squadrons to. Manchukuo, but it Is believed that reinforcements have now been brought up.

ALLIED SEIZURE OF DAKAR

SUGGESTION IN U.S.

NEW YORK. Sept. 20. The “Amy and Navy Journal" hints that the United States may seize the French possessions in the Caribbean and assist Britain to seize Dakar, says the Washington correspondent ol the “New York Times.” The article has attracted attention because of the journal’s closeness to the armed services.

“The negotiations with the Gover-nor-General of the territories in the Caribbean (Admiral Robert) have not been concluded, and the prolonged delay in meeting our demands will cause us to act,” says the journal. “Events may compel us to co-operate with the British to seize Dakar, which is important now that Brazil is at 'war.

“The significance of the presence of American troops in Africa is fully appreciated by Berlin and Rome, for it is proof that we will not hesitate to take any strategic area dangerous to our safety.” The Rio de Janeiro correspondent of the “New York Times” says; “When will the United Nations take Dakar?’ is a question asked by the Brazilians, who fear that Germany will use it for a springboard to attack Brazil. It is contended, furthermore, that the sea lanes of the South Atlantic cannot be safe if Dakar is transformed into a German base.”

PREPARATIONS AT GIBRALTAR

REPORTS FROM SPAIN (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 20. A Madrid message says that a large number of aircraft, most of them fourengined types, are being unloaded at Gibraltar from a transport which arrived yesterday. This is the second such cargo within a week. The aeroplanes leave after being assembled, it is believed, for North Africa. According to a report from Algeciras broadcast by the Rome radio, Gibraltar is being kept in a continuous state of alarm. Numerous night explosions in the Strait result from British destroyers dropping depth charges. Gibraltar’s semaphore station signalled that an enemy submarine had been sighted. Powerful searchlights from Gibraltar swept the sea and sky all night on Friday, states the Vichy radio. Unusual sea and patrol activity was observed on Saturday. It is reported from La Linea that the British authorities at Gibraltar are placing a metal anti-submarine net across the entrance to the bay over a distance of three-quarters of a mile. Old ships have been placed against the commercial moles with the object of warding off any attempted landing.

American Army of 10,000,000 Next Year.—According to the Associated Press of America, the United States Director of Selective Service (MajorGeneral Louis B. Hershey) said in an interview that more than 10,000,000 Americans would be under arms at the end of 1943. The Army numbered at ntesent 4,500.000, not including Navy Marines. He added that the entire supply of single men ayailable for service would be exhausted this autumn and married men would be called up in December.—Washington. September 20.