Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1942. THE SOLOMONS STRUGGLE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 August 1942, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1942. THE SOLOMONS STRUGGLE.

qpHOUGH official statements, from both sides, contain little that is likely to give the peoples of the United Nations a feeling of supreme confidence about the struggle in the Solomons, which has now entered its second week, the latest reported developments are encouraging. This is the first attempt on any scale to dislodge the Japanese forces from any of their recently occupied territory, and it will not have been entered upon lightly. Pearl Harbour, with nearly 3,000 lives lost, and more damage done to the United States fleet in an hour than it suffered in the World War, was an appalling loss to the United States, and consequently to the' whole of the United Nations. Simultaneously, that disaster was a striking reminder of the strength and hitting power of the Japanese forces. From then on their

offensive proceeded apace, halted temporarily and gallantly at times, but invariably successful. Now that the first move has been made to oust the enemy from their ill-gotten gains, it can be taken for granted that the United States commanders have made thorough preparations, and that the “too late, and too little” story will not have to be re-told. The advantage which lies with the defenders of the islands is great. They have not been in occupation long, but they have had time to organise defences, and to prepare bases for aircraft. Land-based aircraft are acknowledged to be formidable weapons in the defence of such island positions, and there is the added advantage with the defenders that they have

in Tulagi, what, is stated to be one of tin* finest harbours in the world. They have probably had based there large naval forces, and with other units within easy call, and the difficulty facing the attackers of supplying their landed forces, lb,magnitude of the task involved in the American offensive can be envisaged. Though on a lesser scale it presents problems similar to those which would face the enemy attempting an invasion of England, ami the fact that no such attempt has been made, even in the crisis after Dunkirk, shows what the seasoned strategists of the German High Command think of such an undertaking. However, for the Allies to win, such problems must be faced, and solved, and that a start has been made is stimulating evidence of the mounting strength of the United Nations.

The offensive is, at present, limited, aimed only at driving the Japanese out of the Solomons, and particularly, as far as New Zealand and Australia are concerned, at removing a dire threat to their supply lines with the United States. But when that object has been accomplished, there is no reason to suppose that the operations will not be continued on an ever-increasing front. Unchallenged occupation of the Solomons by the Japanese, with the advantage of the harbour of Tulagai as a naval base, would be extremely valuable to them, and it is evident that they are making a bold bid to retain their hold. Some observers tend to the opinion that with units of the Japanese fleet endeavouring to escort reinforcements to the scene, a major naval engage ment may be the climax of the Solomons battle, and should such an engagement eventuate it may prove of far-reaching importance, in the Pacific zone.