AVAR SITUATION REVEAVED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23813, 5 December 1942, Page 7

AVAR SITUATION REVEAVED

STATEMENT BY PRIME

MINISTER

POSITION IN PACIFIC « STILL DANGEROUS ”

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. A review of changes in the war situation since October, and of the position of New Zealand, was given to-day by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser). He said the outstanding event in the Pacific had been the American naval victory in the Solomons. Mr Fraser spoke of the New Zealand division’s outstanding part In the brilliant victory in the Battle of Egypt. It was possible to claim, he said, that the successful tactical methods of the campaign appeared to have shown that by their tank attack's through breaches in German defensive infantry, the British forces had evolved an effective way of dealing with German defensive methods. However, fighting was not yet over, nor could complete victory yet be claimed. The enemy had been digging in at El Agheila, and was preparing to make a strong stand. Mr Fraser contended that perhaps the most important feature of the whole Libyan campaign was the timing, fitting in with the launching of the United States and British landing in Algeria and Morocco for the Tunisian offensive. Their hopes, he said; were concentrated on an early linking up of the two Allied forces. Sinking of French Fleet

Speaking of the sinking of the French fleet at Toulon, he stated that Admiral Darlan had left his suggestions too late to allow units of the French fleet to escape. The occupation of Vichy territory had ended the fiction of an inedependent France and the action of the French in destroying their fleet had probably ended the fiction of French collaboration.

It was too early yet. said Mr Fraser, to sum up the results of the North African campaign, but one result was the diversion of German forces from Europe, and in particular, from Russia. The dramatic change which had resulted from the Russians’ counteroffensives represented a set-back to Hitler of profound significance, and the debt the United Nations owed to the Russians and to the defenders of Stalingrad in particular, could not be over-estimated. When the second European front was eventually opened in accordance with sound strategic considerations, the Russians would be in a position to exploit to the full the advantages produced by their own determination, valour, and skill, but he would like to make it clear that it was far too early yet to assert that there was any evidence of a German collapse on the Eastern Front. Turning to the Pacific, Mr Fraser said the picture was much brighter than it was a month ago. However, the Japanese still occupied the northern Solomons,, and further strong attacks were both possible and likely. “It is, I am afraid, clearer to us ip the south Pacific than to those in North Africa and Europe, that the war with Japan is going to be a hard, bitter struggle," said the Prime Minister. “In many respects the Japanese are more dangerous than the Germans, and there can be no greater mistake than to regard the Pacific as a minor or secondary front. In my opinion the situation in the Pacific must still be regarded as dangerous, in spite of the improved situation on Guadalcanar and the flow of American reinforcements. “As far as New. Zealand is concerned, we are very much stronger than we were 12 months ago. We have not only gone a long way towards putting our own defences in order, but we have taken up forward positions in the Pacific area, as we always intended, It is only right that we should take part in the Pacific offensive, which will keep the Japanese as far as possible from our own shores. This new forward move necessitates a review of our defence responsibilities •and commitments."