Battle for lifeline From U.S. Begun

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 109, 11 May 1942, Page 5

Battle for lifeline From U.S. Begun

AUSTRALIA AND N.Z. IN PERIL IF ALLIES FAIL (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, May 8. The Naval battle in the Solomon Islands is regarded in London as part of the action for the possession of New Guinea, which is the key-point of the South-Western Pacific. If the Japanese could hold New Guinea, they would be able to strike out at New Caledonia and Fiji in an attempt to cut off American supplies to Australia and New Zealand, then, having destroyed the lifeline, they could descend on Australia and New Zealand. The maintenance of this Pacific protective chain, which is most important, obviously depends on adequate British and American sea power, for which reason victory in the Solomons would bo highly significant, proving the strength and quality of the American fleet concentration. The evidence of growing Allied air power in New Guinea is regarded as the most encouraging development for some time. - /

Australia and New Zealand are the termini of the American Pacific chain and the jumping-off place for a northward offensive against the South-West Pacific. They are also a bastion of the Indian Ocean and an important point in

the triangle formed by Madagascar, Ceylon and Australia, in which are vital lines of Empire communication which must be held at all costs.

If the Japanese held Madagascar, they would bo able to cut off the supply line to the Middle East and Russia. The fact that Madagascar is now held by the Allied nations insures the supplying of these areas and also of Ceylon, from whence a counter-attack can be made, when reinforcements are sufficient, into the Bay of Bengal, which is now disputed waters.

Mr. Churchill’s statement that the powerful covering fleet has entered Diego Suarez, naval base of Madagascar, is regarded as most encouraging from the viewpoint of both holding Madagascar and strengthening the Allied position in the Indian Ocean.

It is thought that the Japanese are unlikely to attempt to dominate the whole of the Indian Ocean; they must be selective in their targets. It is possible that, if they attack India, it will be by sea rather than from Burma, which is most difficult country to negotiate. Their main objective in Burma at present appears to be to seal off China.

Japan’s lines of sea communication are becoming more taut; they will be a weakness when the United Nations have accumulated strong sea and air power.

It is possible that a situation may occur resembling the events leading to the Battle of Jutland, which developed after a series of attacks against convoys.