BATTLE FOR THE SOLOMONS

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

BATTLE FOR THE SOLOMONS

Reinforcements For U.S. Marines JAPANESE NAVAL STRENGTH (Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 21. The battle for the Solomons has taken a turn for the better with the United States Navy’s announcement that supplies and reinforcements have reached the marines on Guadalcanar Island and that Flying Fortresses have beaten off Japanese battleships: but the warning is given that the Japanese fleet has probably now reformed—it was attacked on September 14—and is waiting to strike again. American war correspondents watching the Solomons battle have reported that the Japanese had in this zone four

battleships and three aircraft-carriers with strong cruiser and destroyer support. Three battleships have been reported hit so far, but none has been claimed as put out of action. Other Japanese naval losses here have been too small to affect the strength of the enemy’s fleet. “The assumption is widespread that the Japanese intend making strenuous efforts to recapture the Solomons,'' writes the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times." “Therefore it is reasonable to assume that the United States Navy authorities are aware of the importance of having adequate forces with which to meet a powerful attack. “The see-saw battle of the Solomons has so far failed to produce any really decisive action, apparently because neither side has overwhelming superiority. „ . “The value of land-based air power against naval strength has again been demonstrated in the latest action, but the Japanese, who managed to land strong parties of jungle troops on Guadalcanar, are unlikely to leave the rebuff unanswered. They are expected to resume strong ground efforts to capture the Kukum aerodrome. "However, the arrival of reinforcements of, United Slates marines has lessened, though it has not removed the danger." Mr Hanson Baldwin, in a dispatch to the "New York Times” from somewhere in the Pacific, says: “The forces in this ocean are delicately balanced, which is a great improvement sjnce Pearl Harbour, when the American Navy was clearly inferior. "The New Guinea situation,” he says, “is not good, but is balanced by the American gains in the Solomons" Expressing his belief that hopes of a second front in Europe in 1942 have disappeared, Mr Baldwin says that American intentions are tending to focus increasingly on the Pacific. This is welcomed in Australia, where it has already been felt that “the Pacific war is no side-show, but as great a task for the United, Nations as Europe." Making this comment, the Sydney “Sun" to-day adds: "It is a good omen that leading men in the United States are trying to bring home to their people the true proportions of this great war in the Pacific. Once that lesson has been learned, \>he beginning will have been made in changing from the defensive to the offensive. That alone, with full power and over, months and years, will defeat Japah ”’

RESISTANCE IN JUGOSLAVIA

ORDER BY GERMAN HIGH COMMAND ITALIANS STRENGTHEN COAST DEFENCES (Rec. 7 p m.). NEW YORK, Sept. 20, In an effort to quell a fresh outburst of guerrilla assaults in Jugoslavia, the German High Command has ordered the instant withdrawal of all Italian troops from Croatia and their replacement by elite guard regiments, armoured forces, and fresh Bulgarian troops. Reporting this, the Ankara correspondent of the “New York Times,” says that the guerrillas have swept Jugoslavia from north-western Bosnia, across Dalmatia, Montenegro, and Macedonia, to the northern Greek frontier, inflicting heavy losses in men and materials on the retreating Italians.

“Large units of the German and Italian labour corps are accelerating the construction of coastal defences in south-western Jugoslavia. Albania, and north-western Greece,” says the correspondent. “Italian troops withdrawn from Croatia are being moved into fresh defensive positions along the Dalmatian coast, as far south as maritime Albania and Corfu, below the Strait of Otranto. The Italians are laying new minefields along the Dalmatian and Albanian coasts, and have heavily increased surface coast patrols. “Neutral military circles at Istanbul express the opinion that this activity is partly a result of Rear-Admiral P. L. Vian’s audacious bombardment of Rhodes in August.” Jugoslav quarters in London have received information that on August 20 the express from Zagreb, on the main line connecting' Europe with Istanbul, was blown up. The Germans had purposely sent the express in front of a military train. Nine carriages were destroyed. Three persons were killed and 100 injured. , A goods train was blown up on August 29 near Jaesnovac. in Croatia. These acts were organised jointly by Croat and Serbian guerrilla leaders. King Peter of Jugoslavia and Crown Prince Tomislav were present at an afternoon service of intercession in Westminster Abbey for the people of Jugoslavia. There was a congregation of more than 2000, including representatives of the Allied Governments.

OUTCROP COAL IN BRITAIN

MEANS OF RELIEVING SHORTAGE (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 20. “If properly handled, Britain’s outcrop of coal seams will yield 10,000,000 tons of coal a year, and thus do much to make up the recent deficiency of 15,000,000 tons a year," says the “Dally Telegraph,” “Some outcrop workings are at present yielding 30 tons a day a man. compared with an average of 19Jcwt a miner working in the pits. Sixty thousand tons of coal a week are at present being produced from 50 outcrop seams, and 30 'others will soon be opening. Sixty to 70 others are being prospected. “About 3000 workers are required to produce a potential maximum of 200,000 tons a week. The workers are merely drivers of mechanical grabs, tractors, and cranes. “Contractors complain that some Fuel Ministry officials are indifferent towards outcropping on a big scale, which they regard as freakish. There is also opposition from coal selling organisations within the mining industry, resulting in thousands of tons of coal being idle while factories are clamouring for fuel."