PACIFIC AIR WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1942, Page 6

PACIFIC AIR WAR

ALLIES DOMINANT

(By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, June 12. Only one heavy bombing raid, i against Port Moresby, has been made by the Japanese since May 18. In the same period. Allied aircraft have, made 60 raids, some of them in considerable force, on widely distributed enemy-occupied bases. *It is suggested that waterlogged aerodromes and bomb-damaged runways are important factors contributing to the Japanese inactivity. Enemy aerodromes have figured largely among Allied targets. Of the 60 Allied raids a total of 19 have been against RabauL and 13 against'Lae, the main enemy bases for a thrust on Port Moresby. Three raids have been made against Salamaua. In the north-western sector, five raids have been made against Kupang, two against Atamboea, two against Ermera, three against Dili, and two against Amboina. In the Japanese-oc-cupied Solompns group, Tulagi has been raided four times, Bougainville twice, and Kessa once. Raids have also been made against the Louisaide Islands. The latest Allied headquarters communique reports the destruction of an enemy four-engined flying-rboat." The Japanese have been employing two types of flying-boat, the Mitsubishi 96 and the more modern Kawanisi 97, which is a military version of the type of flying-boat employed by them on the Pelew-Dili commercial route before the war. It has a range of 2000 miles. The Mitsubishi is an obsolete biplane with a range of only 1000 miles, but possessing strong armament and protection.1 WAR COUNCILS HELD. Secret meetings of the Australian War Cabinet and 'the War Advisory Council have now been held. Though matters which may. vitally affect the whole trend of the war in the Pacific have been discussed, the Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, has declined to make any announcement. It is reliably reported, that the Japese have been able to gain prior knowledge of certain Allied plans'in recent weeks, hence those responsible for the conduct of the war in the south-west Pacific are anxious to1 discourage speculation which; may give hints to the enemy of new plans. . The Army Minister.Mr. F. M. Forde, has spoken of the possibility of "counter action." Though notions of an early general offensive are scouted, the possibility of operations of a specific and limited character are not being overlooked. "Before the time is ripe for a fullscale offensive, there will be opportunities for minor attacks in order to I ensure that the Japanese strength shall be distributed around a wide perimeter and concentration at any one point made more difficult," says the "Sydney Morning Herald" editorially. '.' v "It is our task to see that mo such opportunity is lost on the extensive southern edge of Japan's new frontier, but the first intimation to the world will be of action taken and not action pending."'