LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 October 1942, Page 4

LATE MESSAGES

SOLOMONS CAMPAIGN NEW YORK, October 20. It is strange that in a war wherein armies are counted by millions, and nearly two thousand million persons are- involved that a decisive engagement should be fought in a scant-ily-populated, half unexplored area, without economic importance, comments the “New York Times” editorially. Yet this is a true description of the battle of the Solomons The land forces of either side are small, beside those fighting withir the city of Stalingrad, and the ail forces are small beside those thai participated in the Dieppe raid. It is impossible to estimate the nava. forces, but we are entitled to suppose that what occurs in the next few days on and over the sea at this intersection of power in the Far East, wil. have a profound effect on the strategy of the war in the Pacific. The time had to come in this area when the Japanese, mustering all theii striking power, would move against the Americans, employing all then defensive and offensive forces. The Americans have no doubts of the ultimate issue in the Pacific. As foi the result at Guadalcanal, we calliope and pray—that is all we can do aside from working harder and making sacrifices to help the cause along At any moment the battle of Guadalcanal could precipitate a majoi fleet action, which might put Australia in peril, or burst the bubble ol Japanese conquests, says the Christian Science Monitor. It adds: major naval battle in the Solomons can be expected soon, because unless Japan can win the naval dominance she faces a continuous whittling dowr of sea and air power by America! flyers, including Fortresses from Australia. Tokio may conclude that 1 decisive battle had better be lough l in the Solomons rather than 111 Japanese waters. Japanese counter-at-tacks had removed any prospect 0 exploiting the American seizure ol Guadalcanal, in the major Unitec Nations offensive. Indeed, the Americans must cling to the vital airfield or face prospects of a new Japanese drive on Australia. SUPPLIES FROM AUSTRALIA (X 7. I*.A Special’ Australian Correspondent)

SYDNEY, October 21.. Although the Japanese and American Fleets are apparently close to each other in the Solomons area, no clash has yet been reported. According to some Washington reports heavy American warships have moved to the battle zone, steaming unopposed through waters previously dominated bv the Japanese Fleet. “A Pearl Harbour report estimates that at least 15,000 Japanese troops have been landed on Guadalcanal in the last month. No new Japanese landings on the island have been reported since last Thursday. The massing of Japanese sea, land, and air power indicates that Japan intends to concentrate in the Solomons one of the greatest striking forces she has ever sent to any territory, and build up the most powerful umbrella of planes she has ever assembled, despite continuing heavy losses. Japan does not appear to be expecting a quick Or easy victory. Tqkio radio announces that the foreign Office spokesman (Mr Tomokazu Hon), broadcasting to the Japanese nation, said that the Pacific conflict was gradually assuming the phase oi a long-term war, which was requiring all the strength of the Japanese people. He also warned the Japanese of the possibility of a general counterattack by the United Nations against Japan, and declared ' the United Nations’ strategists were considering the Pacific area and Africa as well as Europe for the formation of a second front. a Urging that supplies for Americans on Guadalcanal should be rushed from Australia, the Sydney Telegraph” says: The battle for the Solomons may not be won with warships alone, but with supply ships. “Australia is only 1150 miles from the Solomons, the place whence war material and food should go,” says the paper, pointing out that America is 6000 miles away from the battle area. . The New York newspaper P.M. report that the Japanese on Guadalcanal outnumber the American forces by ten to one is accepted with considerable reserve. The numbers or enemy troops are regarded here as of secondary importance, in the battle wherein the major issue must be decided at sea. ‘ If we gain complete control of the sea in the Solomons, Japanese forces at Guadalcanal will be in a trap. The “Telegraph’ points out the bigger the forces the bigger the catch, but if the Japanese control the sea, the trap will be on our foot. American strategy in the Solomons must be determined more by geography than by choice, declares the “Manchester Guardian,” stressing the great advantages held by the Japanese in possession of several bases within easy striking distance of Guadalcanal. With air bases already established at Buin, Buka, and northern Solomons, as well as at Rabaul, the Japanese have been working frantically to build new airfields. It suggested that they may even have some kind of aerodrome on Shoftland Island (where a large concentration of enemy transports has been reported), just 260 miles north-east of Guadalcanal, or New Guinea.