SECRET MEETINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 13 June 1942, Page 5

SECRET MEETINGS

CABINET VITAL MATTERS DISCUSSED ALLIED AIR ACTIVITY Sydney, June 12. Secret meetings of the Australian War Cabinet and the War Advisory Council have now been held. Though matters which may vitally affect the whole trend of the war in the Pacific have been discussed, the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, has declined to make any announcement. It is reliably reported that the Japanese have been able to gain prior knowledge of certain Allied plans in recent weeks, hence those responsible for the conduct of the war in the South-West Pacific are anxious to discourage speculation which may give hints to the enemy of new plans. The Minister of the Army, Mr Forde. has spoken of the possibility of “counter action,” though notions of an early general offensive are scouted. The possibility of operations ot a specific and limited character are not being overlooked. “Before the time is ripe for a fullscale offensive, there will be opportunities for minor attacks in order to ensure that the Japanese strength shall be distributed around her wide perimeter and concentration at any one point made more difficult,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald” editorially. “It is our task to see that no such opportunity is lost on the extensive southern edge of Japan’s new frontier, but the first intimation to the world will be of action taken and not action pending.” FEWER ENEMY AIR RAIDS Only one heavy bombing raid, against Port Moresby on Ist June, has been made by the Japanese in the South-West Pacific area since 18th May. In the same period. Allied aircraft have made 60 raids, some of them in considerable force, on widely distributed enemy-occupied bases. It is suggested that waterlogged aerodromes and bomb-damaged runways are important factors contributing to the Japanese inactivity. Enemy aerodromes have figured largely among Allied targets. Of the 60 Allied raids made since 18th May, a total of 19 have been against Rabaul. and 13 against Lae, the main enemy bases for the thrust on Port Moresby. Three raids have been made against Salamaua. In the north-western sector, five raids have been made against Koepang, two against Atamboea, two against Ermera, three against Dilli, and two against Amboina. In the Japanese-occupied Solomons group, Tulagi has been raided four times, Bouganville twice, and Kessa once. Raids hav.e also been made against the Louisaide Islands. FLYING-BOAT DESTROYED The latest Allied headquarters communique reports the destruction of an enemy four-engined flyingboat. The Japanese have been employing two types of flying-boat, the Mitsubishi 96 and the modern Wawanisi 97, which is a military version of the type of flying-boat employed by them on the Palau-Dilli commercial route before the war. It has a range of 2000 miles. The Mitsubishi is an obsolete biplane with a range of only 1000 miles, but possessing strong armament protection.— P.A. special Australian correspondent. CLASH WITH ZEROS Melbourne, June 11. Allied activity over enemy-occupied New Guinea continues. To-day’s headquarters communique says: “Four Zeros attempted to intercept one of our reconnaissance units in New Guinea. One enemy was shot down. Allied aircraft attacked an aerodrome at Rabaul, starting fires in the building area.” The Australian Air Minister, Mr Dr#keford, announced that experienced Australian pilots had returned from overseas and had been posted to key points in Australia. Their return boded ill for the Japanese, as they were grimly determined to shoot the invader from the skie, to sink his ships and blast his bases.—P.A.