PACIFIC FRONT

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC FRONT

STRUGGLE FOR PORT MORESBY JAP. AERIAL ATTACKS (N.Z.I’.A. Special Australian Correspondent). SYDNEY, May 20. No combat activity occurred in the South-west Pacific war zone yesterday, and Allied operations were limited to reconnaissance, states the 33rd communique issued by General MacArthur’s Headquarters. This is the second “all quiet” reported during the last week, but other daily communiques recount that the air war over New Guinea is continuing with undiminished intensity. As well as Messerschmitt 109 type fighters, the Japanese are now using the new 99 type of heavy army bomber, a long-nosed machine, stated to be a reply to America’s Flying Fortress. American fighter pilots, however, do not regard Japan’s latest bomber as comparable with the Fortress. A raid this week, when 16 of the. new enemy' bombers flew in tight formation, resulted in the Allied fighters shooting down two without loss to themselves. Port Moresby has now had 52 raids. The first raid was made on February 3, and the latest raid, employing 34 heavy bombers with an escort of 15 Zero fighters, when more than 200 bombs were dropped, was the heaviest attack yet made on this principal outpost of Australian defence. Most of the bombs dropped were of the anti-personnel or daisycutter variety, but damage was light, and only one service casualty was caused. Military commentators continue to emphasise that the growing weight of the enemy’s air attack against Port Moresby is an expression of his determination to remove this flanking menace before continuing his southward aggression. Newspapers emphasise editorially the need for still more men, guns, ships, and aeroplanes in the South-west Pacific. “Japan is mobilising sea, land, and air power close to the United StatesAustralia supply route,” states the “Daily Telegraph.” “That done, she will turn on us. With what we have and what America has sent us, we would fight hard —but it would be a desperate and defensive fight.” The fact that Australia and New Zealand are the only South-west Pacific bases from which Japan can be attacked is also emphasised. “If, now that the Allies have deliberately chosen Australasia as their Southwest Pacific base (there is none other left), Australia should be eliminated. then the war in the Pacific may be lost,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald” in an editorial. “There are no grounds for pessimism, however. We are vastly stronger than we were three months ago.” The growing realisation in Britain of the importance of the Pacific war is also favourably commented upon. The declaration by Mr. Attlee that Australia must be reinforced “comes as a proof of the indissolubility of the ties of Empire and the glory of the cause for which it and the Allies stand,” says the “Sydney Sun.”

MR. ROOSEVELT’S DENIAL

LONDON, May 20

At his Press conference in Washington to-day, Mr. Roosevelt denied that the recent dispatch of more American troops to Northern Ireland meant that Australia was being ignored. “That’s a new one on me,” he said, when the question was put to him. “There is no basis whatever for that impression.” CORAL SEA BATTLE. (Rec. 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 20. Replying to Mr. Ellis Smith, in the Commons, Sir Archibald Sinclair said that full details of the part, played by dive-bombers and torpedo-carrying aircraft in the Coral Sea battle were not available. When reports were received, they would be carefully studied for any new lessons. Steps were taken in July, 1940, to ensure an adequate supply of dive-bombers, and the question of more accurate bombing from high altitudes was constantly under consideration. Mr. Alexander, replying to Sir A. Sueter, said that judging from newspaper reports, it was reasonable to deduce that planes and aircraftcarriers operated in the Coral Sea battle.

Sir A. Sueter: Haven’t you accurate details from the United States about this battle? It is very important that we know something about it. Mr. Alexander replied: We are anxious to get all particulars. Perhaps you have seen the Navy Department communique on May 9, in which it stated they wore not publishing details for the time being.

SYDNEY’S NEW SHELTERS

SYDNEY, May 20

While Australia recently modified the “brown-out” restrictions, repeated official warnings have been issued that these modifications must not be permitted to give rise to any false sense of security. The public have been instructed to make complete “black-out” arrangements, and early tests are to be held. Large signs, pointing in the direction of the nearest air raid shelters, are now being placed in all of the Sydney streets. New surface shelters, which will accommodate 50 people, are being built in Sydney, Their design is based on English air raid experience. These shelters are stated to “give” to bomb shocks, instead of shattering under the blast. In the building of the new shelters, three inches of a bed of concrete is put down on a road surface. A bituminous felt course is laid on this. The top is tied to the sides and the sides to the floor. This type of shelter, of which several hundreds are to be erected, is said to move with a bomb blast. Air raid and fire fighting equipment worth £750.000 is expected to arrive in Australia soon from America and England. This is announced by the Federal Home Security Minister, Mr. Lazzarini. Australian manufacturers, he said, already have provided a considerable amount of such equipment. The cost of an extensive raid warning alarm system that is now being completed in Sydney, is stated to be £50,000. The alarms are of the motor siren and loud-speaker types.

WAR LOAN CANBERRA, May 20. The Federal Minister (Mr. Chifley) announced that the new war loan of £35,000,000 will be opened on June 2. He said the war was costing Australia nearly £300,000,000 this financial year, only a portion of which was being provided from taxation. The last Liberty Loan was the most successful floated by an Australian Government. He hoped the new loan would be a worthy successor. Mr. Chifley said the loan would be issued at par. Short term sec.nities would bear interest at 21 per cent, per annum, maturing in 1947. Interest on long term securities would be 3?, per cent, maturing in 1958.