REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23771, 17 October 1942, Page 5

REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE

U.S. ARMY TROOPS ON GUADALCANAR

IMPORTANT POSITIONS SEIZED

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 9.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 15. The Secretary of War (Mr H. L. Stimson) told a press conference that American Army ground and air forces recently arrived on Guadalcanar to reinforce the marines, and had seized important positions in the Solomons, to which they were holding tenaciously against vigorous Japanese counter-at-tacks. Mr Stimson also said that substantial army forces were now in the New Hebrides, the Fijian Islands, and other points, where their presence had not been disclosed previously. He also said that American forces were now stationed in New .Zealand. All these forces were under the command of a United States Army Air Force officer, Major-General Millard Harmon, who has his headquarters in New Zealand, but who has spent most of his time at an advanced base in New Caledonia. The Army and Navy forces m this area were fighting in the closest possible co-operation under the unified command of the United States Navy. In New Guinea, added Mr Stimson, United States airmen had been giving splendid support to the Australians by their attacks on Japanese aircraft and shipping, of which they were taking heavy toll. Mr Stimson referred to the mounting activities of American airmen in co-operation with the British in Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and army patrol operations in China and India. He said that tanks and motor vehicles were assembled in Eritrea and were forwarded from there to the British armies in North Africa. A series of landing fields had been formed through the heart of Africa for aeroplanes en route to India, Egypt, China, and Russia. Mr Stimson also disclosed that American supply troops in the Persian Gulf were hastening the flow of equipment to the Russians in the Caucasus. Also, within a few days after the occupation, the army built an airfield on Andreanov Island, which 12 days later was used by medium and ‘heavy bombers and fighters, and had thus changed the entire picture in the Aleutians, providing an immense base from which the Japanese in Attu, Aggattu, and Kiska could be successfully attacked, making the Japanese position there extremely hazardous. Mr Stimson also disclosed that the first negro flying squadron was nearly ready for overseas combat duty, we did not reveal where it would be sent.

ALLIES’ AIR ADVANTAGE

REPORT BY AMERICAN EXPERT

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15. “The European theatre will remain an air theatre until we have secured superiority over the German Air Force and paralysed German aircraft production,” said Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, the famous American air ace of the last war in a report to the United States War Department, after a survey trip of the European front. “The total German Air Force does not exceed 4700 combat aeroplanes, of which there is a very small percentage of bombers,” he continued. “It would, nevertheless, be a mistake to conclude that Nazi air power is decreasing.” Captain Rickenbacker explained that while British and American bombers might have crippled German aircraft production, the Germans might be working feverishly on new aeroplanes in order to effect air superiority, which at present was definitely on the Allies’ side. “The trend is entirely in our favour.” he added. "Unquestionably we will win the war. The only question is how soon. We are bound to suffer losses, even great losses, before the conquest of Germany is completed.” Captain Rickenbacker told the War Department that the fog of confusion regarding the respective qualities of British and American fighter aeroplanes was rapidly disappearing. The fact that American pilots in England flew Spitfires had been widely misinterpreted as meaning that American fighters were inferior. The facts were that the pilots flew Spitfires because Spitfires were available. Thus American fighters, instead of going to England, could be sent elsewhere. “The British are continuing production of long-range night bombers,” continued Captain Rickenbacker. “British night bombing and American daytime precision bombing will complement each other in a round the clock bombardment, in which the day bombers will serve as pathfinders, setting fire to enemy targets, and providing beacons for the night bombers.” ■ Captain Rickenbacker found that Britain had mobilised all its resources for victory, and employed all its manpower and womanpot ’er in its war effort. He concluded that from the United States standpoint the picture was as bright as a grim portrait of war could be.

GERMANS DETAINED IN CHILE

THREE ARRESTED AS SPIES

(Rec. 8.50 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 15. The Chilean police have detained in a seaside resort Dr. Hans Borchers, former German Consul-General in New York, and three men arrested last week as German spies. The Associated Press correspondent at Santiago, reporting this, said that Dr. Borchers, who was ordered from the United States after the closing of the German Consulates, arrived in Chile in March without diplomatic or consular credentials.

AXIS LEADERS TO MEET

REPORT FROM BERNE

NEW YORK. Oct. 15. Hitler and Mussolini are scheduled to meet at the Brenner Pass within the next 10 days, states the Berne correspondent of the “New York Times." Himmler, the Gestapo chief, has just completed a three-days’ tour of Italy to report to Hitler on Italian morale before this meeting. The first concrete result of Himmler’s visit was the arrival of another few hundred Gestapo men who were ordered to Italy to assist the Italian police and censorship in several of the larger towns.

MORE ARRESTS IN INDIA

(Rec. 7,45 p.m.) BOMBAY, Oct. 15. Twenty-five persons, including merchants and financiers, have been arrested in connexion with the recent series of bomb explosions in the city. Fifteen out of 56 members of. the Orissa Legislative Assembly have been detained under the defence regulations.

VICHY BROADCAST TO MADAGASCAR

(Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 15. The Vichy radio has broadcast an appeal to the people of Madagascar, saying; "Keep up your faithfulness to France now that the greater part of the island is in the enemy’s hands, in spite of heroic resistance.” The radio urged civilians and officials to remain at their posts and continue working in the interests of their country, but to respect absolutely their oath to Marshal Petain.