PACIFIC MASTERY

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 November 1943, Page 5

PACIFIC MASTERY

ACQUIRED BY ALLIES

JAPANESE DIFFICULTIES

(N.Z.r.A. Special Australian Correspondent) (Rec. 11.40) SYDNEY, Nov. 17: . The outlook in the Southern Pacific has never been brighter, declares an Australian war correspondent at General MacArthur’s headquarters. The Allies have wrested every tactical advantage from the Japanese in a series of bitter land battles, and have gained control of the air. Against our pincer thrusts from the Solomons and New Guinea areas the enemy cannot hope to hold their main marshalling base of Rabaul unless they endeavour to stabilise the situation by risking a good part of their usual strength. Continuation of their present .policy ot dribbling in stop-gap reinforcements will merely involve losses requiring a ready reckoner to compute. Should the Japanese launch their unlikely challenge to the present Allied naval superiority, observers are impressed that Admiral Halsey’s evident confidence in our recent thrusts is backed by massive reserves of naval and air striking power. Responsible Allied commanders, however, do not expect the Japanese to venture a carrier-covered fleet within range ot the Allies newly-won land bases. The loss of the Northern Solomons and Rabaul would dangerously expose the Japanese big naval base at Truk, 830 miles north of Rabaul. Such an Allied success might also pave the way for a thrust through the Central Pacific. Thus, in defence of their dwindling holdings in the Southern Pacific, the Japanese face a grave and costly dilemma. The present situation on this front is that, firstly, the Japanese, do not have sufficient air bases hom which to deploy the plane strength essential for effective defence; secondly, a major enemy fleet is not. bkely to venture into these waters without land-based air protection; thirdly the Japanese land forces seem incapable of winning back the lost base.without sustained, large-scale naval support. The sharp decline of Japanese fortunes in this area began following a secret meeting between General MacArthur and Admiral Halsey on the Australian, mainland early in June. Since then the enemy have been steadily forced into a corner, lacking any simple escape alternatives.

ABANDONING RABAUL?

RUGBY, November 16. A United States Navy spokesman said, 'according to a Washington message, that Rabaul was getting too hot for the Japanese. United States an - men had destroyed 102 Japanese planes. Despite the losses, the enemy continued to pour and.aircraft into the area. He addedthat the Japanese had suffered damage to their important fleet units to give them cause for serious consideration of abandoning the Rabaul base. BOMBS ON JAP. SHIPS (N.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent) “SYDNEY, Nov. 16. The movement of Japanese shipnin" in the Rabaul area continues. Catalinas patrolling the sea lanes to the north of this key enemy base have scored a direct hit with a 10001 b. bomb on a light cruiser. The bomb struck the after part of the warship, penetrated, and exploded inside. In i another attack, a 10,000-ton meichantman was hit amidships with a 5001 b. bomb. Adverse weather and the convoy’s fighter protection prevented close observation of the damage; but it is believed that both the cruiser and the merchantman may be total losses. These hits were scored m night attacks during the week-end. The Japanese are apparently making some effort to continue to yeniforce Rabaul. General Mae Arthurs aircraft are maintaining a close watch over the area and no movement, of enemv shipping is allowed to pass unchallenged. The cruiser reported damaged in today’s South-west Pacific communique was escorting two cargo vessels headed towards Rabaul, and was attacked 18 miles from the harbour. , . , . . , , A second convoy, which included the 10,000-ton merchantman, comprised a large cargo vessel, two medium cargo vessels, a tanker, and a number of smaller ships. It was located and attacked 50 miles from Rabaul. Four 500-lb. bombs were aimed at the large vessel. One hit amidships and rocked the vessel with a violent explosion. ~ « + Bad weather over the South-west Pacific has caused some diminution of Allied air activity in the area. FURTHER JAP. LOSSES. SYDNEY, November 17. A Japanese transport of 8000 tons has been sunk and another large merchant vessel severely damaged in a night attack on Rabaul Harbour by MacArthur’s bombers. Two direct hits from mast height were scored on the transport. A 9000-ton enemy cargo ship, hit off New Ireland, was beached. Following up their earlier record strike, when 223 tons of explosives were droijped, our bombers also made further heavy attacks against the enemy’s forward base area around Alexishafen, north-east of New Guinea. Aerodromes were the principal objectives, and 76 tons of bombs were dropped in a damaging blow. The Japanese lost 20 planes shot down, with six others probably destroyed. when they attempted counter blows against the Allies’ torward New Guinea airfields at Nadzam and Guasp. Our intercepting fighters suffered only light losses.

JAP. ISLANDS BOMBED

PEARL HARBOUR. Nov. 16

Pacific Headquarters has announced that Liberators successfully attacked Japanese installations on the Gilberts and Marshalls last Saturday night and on Sunday morning. Large fires were started near runways. No air opposition was encourtered and the Liberators were not damaged in spite of anti-aircraft fire. britisbFmission SYDNEY, November 16. Major-General Lethbridge, head oi the British Military Mission now touring the south and south-west Pacific areas, has arrived m New Guinea. He will visit forward battle areas at Finschhafen and in the Ramu Valley. , , ~ , Major-General Lethbridge, who arrived straight from an Australian jungle-training school, said that every member of the mission had been profoundly impressed by the realism and spirit with which Australia was tackling jungle training. He said: “These are magnificent soldiers—first-class material. I don't think, anywhere in the world you will find a more formidable fighter than the Australian in the jungle.” SHIPPPING LANES SAFE LONDON, November 15. No Allied supply ships have been lost in the Pacific during the last" six months as a result of enemy action, said Rear-Admiral W. B. Young, Chief of the United States Navy Bureau of Supplies. Referring to the difficulty of sqp- ‘ plying scattered Pacific bases RearAdmiral Young drew attention to the

lack of harbours and quays for unloading supplies, which at many places had to be transported ashore in small boats. He paid a tribute to New Zealand and Australia for adapting their industries to meet the demands of the United States forces in the area. N.Z. THIRD DIVISION WELLINGTON, November 16. The following messages have been exchanged between the Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr Nash) and MajorGeneral H. E. Barrowclough:— “Now that the forces under your command have so quickly and effectively completed the occupation 01. Vella Lavella and the Treasury Islands. I would like, on behalf of the Government and people, to extend to you and your officers and men, heartfelt congratulations on the splendid achievements of the Third Division,” Mr Nash states. “It is a matter of profound satisfaction that casualties were not unduly heavy, particularly as. we realise how severe was the fighting and how gruelling the conditions under which all of you have been Living. You have just cause for pride in the valuable contribution the Third Division is making towards the expulsion of the Japanese from the South Pacific area.”

General Barrowclough replied: “I greatly appreciate your very kind message, which is being published in divisional orders, gnd will be - a source of pridfe to all ranks of this force. This Division has waited long for its opportunity, and I ain indeed proud of the enterprise and fortitude of my command in its first contact with a very implacable foe.”