SOLOMONS THEATRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 263, 6 October 1942, Page 5

SOLOMONS THEATRE

MILITARY WRITER’S VIEW

OFFENSIVE EXPECTED (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) NEW YORK, Oct. 5.

“Although neither the Japanese nor the United Nations have been able to build up offensive superiority in the South-West Pacific capable of decisive results the situation is not likely to degenerate into a long drawnout stalemate.” This is the opinion of Major F. Eliot, a military expert, writing in the Herald-Tribune. “Both sides have shown ability to fight and willingness to take risks. One or other will advance again soon and the indications are that it will be our side. An example is General MacArthur’s reported torpedo-plane attack on Japanese shipping, probably hitting three light cruisers and two merchantmen. General MacArthur’s torpedo planes are either land-based, which is a new departure, or else his small naval force. has been reinforced by an accretion including a carrier. “Persistent air attacks on the Japanese bases in the Western Solomons also seem to suggest a coming offensive. If the Allied forces in New Guinea can push the Japanese back north of the- mountains and begin threatening Kokoda, it would be a suitable moment for our forces in the Solomons to advance towards Bougainville. and Santa Ysabel. “The Japanese are menaced at their outposts both in the South-West Pacific and the Aleutians and must decide where to concentrate or wha4> to do. If they withdraw from the Aleutians the Japanese must expect an immediate attack on their positions in the Kurile Islands which will bring pressure against the northern islands of Japan itself. If they decide to make a great effort to drive us from the Solomons the Japanese must do so quickly before we seize more of their present bases, and especially before we succeed in outflanking them by driving them from Eastern New Guinea.”

IMPORTANCE OF CAMPAIGN. Although the campaign in the South-West Pacific seems infinitesimal compared with the clash of hosts in Southern Russia, it might be made almost as decisive as the latter, declares the Herald-Tribune, since the South-West Pacific has strategic possibilities out of proportion to the number engaged. “While it would bo a grave mistake to regard the Pacific campaign as a substitute for the body blow which must sooner or later be delivered against Hitler in Europe, it would he an equally grave mistake to regard the Pacific purely as defensive holding operations,” says the paper. “The defensive actions in the Coral Sea, Midway and the Solomons have apparently had an unforeseen positive strategic effect. They probably saved India.. An attack against India would require the use of the Bay of Bengal under cover of sea power, but the Japanese navy has not appeared in the Bay of Bengal since its heavy losses of carriers and cruisers in the Pacific. “It can he said, though with less confidence, that the Pacific operations have prevented a Japanese attack on Siberia.” remarks the Herald-Trib-une. “Meanwhile the threat which Port Moresby and Guadalcanal together represented to the Japanese bases and communications in the East Indies evoked a powerful Japanese counter-attack which was repulsed with heavy losses. Japan either no longer possesses or no longcr.is willing to risk her aviation foreelmultanoous operations in the Solomons and New Guinea. S , „ ~ • “If our commanders regard all this in a purely defensive spirit, the Japanese undoubtedly will return, but if we are really denting the Japanese air and shipping strengths there, the offensive possibilities, if pressed vigorously, could seriously upset the whole balance in East Asia.” Guerrilla sea warfare between Japanese warships and American planes and shore batteries is a constant factor in the military situation in the Solomons, writes the New York Times Guadalcanal correspondent (air i. Durdin). . , In the daytime American bombers and fighters dominate the sea for hundreds of miles around, . and at night-time fast Japanese cruisers and destrovers dare to move in close to the island striking swiftly and sneaking away. Sometimes they land troops on'Guadalcanal under cover of shellfire and sometimes submarines do the shelling, focusing their guns rather aimlessly. , _ The marines refer to the Japanese submarines lurking offshore as “Oscar,” holding them generally in contempt. “Oscar’s chum is “Lome the Louse,” a single-float seaplane that sometimes braves, a quick flight over the marines’ positions at dusk. Oscar and Louie probably, work together exchanging information. It is probnblv Louie who releases the yellow flare illuminating the shoreside gloom for the Japanese surface raiders.