NO QUICK VICTORY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 11 August 1942, Page 2

NO QUICK VICTORY

ENEMY WELL ESTABLISHED SECOND FRONT SUGGESTIONS DISCOUNTED COMMENT BY OBSERVERS (Rec. 1.35 p.m.) Sydney, This Day. Reports reaching Allied headquarters indicate that the enemy has moved part of his air strength irom New Britain and the New Guinea area and flung it into the battle for the Solomons. In Saturday’s and Sunday’s bombing raids on a number of enemy aerodromes little interference was met from Japanese fighters and only a few Japanese aircraft were seen on the ground. The only fighter interception was over Lakunai aerodrome at Rubaul. Observers at General MacArlhur’s headquarters say it becomes increasing, ly evident that the Allies are not to snatch a quick victory from the enemy, who had months to establish himself in the bases now under attack. “To lose this battle of our own seeking would be to invite a further attack from the arrogant Nipponese.” writes the Sydney “Herald” war correspondent. “To win. it would be only the first of many agonising steps before we could hope to place the enemy back where he belongs.” American suggestions that a second front has been opened in the Pacific are regarded as “altogether too sweeping.” If every Japanese was turned out of the Solomons from Guadalcanalin the south to Buka in the north it does not follow that Rabaul would be in danger of falling.” says the “Herald” commentator, “and their considerable base at Rabaul would need to be captured before the Japanese could be said to be checkmated on this front.” General MacArthur’s communiques do not mention the Solomon Islands battle for the reason that it is being directed from a centre not within his area, but Australian and American air and naval forces under his command arc giving valuable assistance in the action.

NO GRAND SCALE OFFENSIVE

The second front suggestions are further discounted by the “Daily Telegraph” correspondent at General MacArthur’s headquarters who writes: “Forget those pipe dreams of any grandscale SouthWest Pacific offensive against the Japanese. Those ‘back home via Tokio’ signs which pilots paint on their planes in the far north are valuable only as camouflage colourings. An offensive needs a fleet of modern aircraft not only in the war theatre but rolling off the assembly line. It needs an armada of vessels and a high-powered naval force to convoy them. It needs air-craft-carriers. a submarine fleet and a powerful and fully equipped invading army. Above all it needs the public will to accept enormous losses of men and materials. We have many of these requirements but not nearly enough.”P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.