Naval Battle Overshadows All Else In Solomons

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1942, Page 3

Naval Battle Overshadows All Else In Solomons

(Rec. Noon.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 14

The Navy communique says the task of consolidating the shore positions now held by United States Marines in the Solomon Islands is progressing satisfactorily. Naval units are engaged in protecting our lines oi communication and escorting supply vessels to our occupying forces.

United States Army and Allied shore-based aircraft are continuing the attack on Japanese air bases and ship concentrations in enemy-held harbours

Heavy equipment, including guns ammunition and supplies are being rushed ashore from American transports for United States Marines fighting in the Solomons, says a Sydney special message, while the marines are steadily consolidating their positions under strong air cover. A large-scale sea and air battle is being fought in the area. American commentators say the sea battle is developing rapidly, and its importance is qvershadowing the lanct fighting. Allied air and naval forces are holding off the Japanese fleet, which is trying to smash a passage for enemy reinforcements.

San Francisco radio reports that Allied planes on Friday repulsed a strong enemy effort to bring up reinforcements. The 8.8. C. says Unite! States Marines have now occupied the most useful of the new Japanese-built aerodromes on Guadalcanal - . American reports say the marines are fighting off strong enemy attacks to repossess the aerodrome. Japs. Forced To Battle

Observers in the United States believe the present sea action may prove decisive if it shatters the major part of the Japanese fleet. They point out that the American navy has long sought an opportunity to engage the Japanese at close quarters. The Japanese are believed to have been forced to accept the challenge because of the urgent necessity to maintain their positions in the Solomons. Walter Logan, United Press Washington correspondent, says the loss of Tulagi harbour, one of the largest and best in the world, would be a major disaster for the Japanese Tulagi would provide the Allies with an excellent complement to Pearl Harbour. One of the principal advantages would be its use as a submarine base. Expects Blow At Australia Some Australian observers believe the Japanese may be compelled, in order to defend their Solomons interests, to strike a counter-blow. The “Sydney Morning Herald” war correspondent suggests that this may be made on the north-eastern front of Australia. “The present lull on the northern front is not symptomatic of the war position as revealed in the events of the past few weeks,” he writes. “It does not square with Japanese eagerness to invest northern Papua with picked troops, to assemble more ships at Rabaul and to press forward with the occupation of the Solomons until challenged by the Allied forces a week ago. The lull seems unreal when ■it is recalled that the Japanese crept closer to Australia by going into three small groups of islands between Timor and New Guinea as late as July 31. From the seeming paradox of activity on one hand and inactivity at more advanced enemy stations on the other, it may be deduced that Japan is preparing some action which probably will not long be delayed.” Progress On Tulagi

American observers believe that Japan may be forced to bring her main fleet into action in an effort to save her positions in the Solomons.

No further official details are known of the fighting, which is still continuing on sea and land.

However, it is confirmed that strong American forces have landed on a fourth island—Malaita—in addition to Tulagi. Guadalcanar and Florida. Some reports say American marines. heavily reinforced, are breaking down the Japanese hold on Tulagi. It is stated that the Japanese had developed Tulagi’s defences to a greater extent than had been expected. They were evidently determined to make it an important naval base. At least one airfield on Guadalcanar is said to have fallen into Allied hands.

A third postponement of a promised announcement by Tokio radio of details of the battle may indicate that the fighting is not developing to the liking of the Japanese command. When the United States Secretary for the Navy (Colonel Knox) was asked how he felt about the developments in the Solomons, he replied, “Very good.” “Very Good,” Says Knox

American opinion is that the action will require additional strength for the Allied sea forces already engaged. Observers point out that vessels must be deployed throughout the outer area of the battle zone in order to guard against an enemy surprise move and prevent reinforcements reaching the islands. Possession of airfields on Guadalcanar will be of the highest importance to the Allies. Enemy Narrowly Forestalled Among war correspondents in Australia, the opinion grows that the Allied offensive against the Solomons narrowly forestalled further aggressive moves by the Japanese. They point to substantial enemy shipping concentrations in the Rabaul and Banda Sea areas, which suffered heavily from Allied bombing attacks. Further attacks on enemy warships and transports in the New Guinea area are reported in today’s southwest Pacific headquarters communique.

These attacks are known to have been made at sea, but no indication has yet been given of the likely destination of the convoy.

In counter-operations the Japanese are reported to be using Zero fighters fitted with floats. These can be readily operated among the islands, wher*. good landing grounds are scarpe, but sheltered sea bases are plentful. Jap. Convoy Attacked

General MacArthur’s bombers on Thursday struck three times at a Japanese convoy at sea with Flying Fortresses and medium bombers. Probably the marauders attacked transports and warships in the New Guinea area.. Because of adverse weather conditions the results were not observed.

Today’s communique from Allied Headquarters says that in the first attack the flight of our heavy bombers was intercepted by six Zero fighters. Two enemy planes were shot down and three damaged. The second attack was made by medium bombers. They were intercepted by seven Zeros, one of which was shot down.

The third Allied attacking force was not intercepted. Some of our bombers were damaged, but all returned to their bases. This was the only air combat activity reported in the communique.

No further details have been given of Wednesday’s devastating attacks on enemy shipping in Rabaul harbour or of the attacks made on other Japanese vessels in the Timor and Banda Sea areas.