Concentrated in Solomons Area

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 24 October 1942, Page 5

Concentrated in Solomons Area

MORE ATTACKS BY ALLIED BOMBERS

Sydney, Oct. 23. \ustralian-bascd medium bombers have made further attacks on the Japanese fleet in the northern Solomons. Early on Thursday morning they dropped ten tons of bombs on a number of ships dispersed in the wide roadstead between Buin and Faisi. Bad weather prevented observation of the results. Strong anti-aircraft fire and searchlight opposition was encountered from enemy ships but all our planes returned safely. The attack was made through heavy clouds. Aerial reconnaissance has revealed considerable enemy shipping around Rabaul as well as in northern Solomons waters.

The “New York Times” Washington correspondent emphasises that these aggregations of Japanese warships, auxiliaries and transports are large. “The transports are unquestionably carrying troops scheduled to follow up the victory which the Japanese hope to gain in the sea action, he says. “The outcome of such action is apparently being awaited by enemy troops on Guadalcanar before launching a major offensive against United States positions. At the same time the enemy appears io hesitate to enter a contest against the American Navy so long as weather conditions permit free operation of the air forces, since American pilots and planes, especially dive-bombers and torpedo-planes, have demonstrated their decided superiority. However, such planes require fairly high ceilings and the rainy season now opening may ground these planes after whj>.i the Japanese might be able to achieve momentary superiority in which event they will obviously try for a decisive engagement.” NO AUSTRALIAN TROOPS ASKED FOR The Australian Government had not been asked to send troops to the Solomons stated the Minister for the Army, Mr Forde. If Australian troops were required there were more A.LF. men available now than at any previous time since the beginning of the war.—P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.