CAUTION AGAINST OVEROPTIMISM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 3 July 1943, Page 5

CAUTION AGAINST OVEROPTIMISM

VIGOROUS RESISTANCE EXPECTED New York, July 2. A major and difficult campaign has begun in the South Pacific, dares the “New York Times” military correspondent, Hanson Baldwin. His emphasis on the difficulties which the Allies face is supported by war correspondents in the South Pacific, who say that this is definitely not a grand offensive which will carry the Allies to Tokio. They caution against over-optimism which attended the first Solomons campaign and say that the Japanese are certain to hav* prepared vigorous resistance. The Allied move is seen as a limited offensive to push the Japanese away from the American-Australia supply route and consolidate the arc of Allied bastions protecting Australia and New Zealand. “The easy initial occupations are no index of what is to come,” says Mr Baldwin. “They were virtually unopposed, but the Japanese strength at Munda and Vila is estimated to be 20,000. The Solomons are believed to be manned by the Seventeenth Army, totalling from 32,000 to 42,000, with 38,000 more garrisoning Rabaul. The Japanese made good use of the interlude after our move into the Solomons last August. As well as strengthening his airfield chain he has probably built up garrisons flanking General MacArthur’s positions at Moresby, Gona. Milne Bay, the Trobriands and Woodlark Island. There are probably 15,000 to 25,000 Japanese at Wewak, and 5000 to 12,000 at Madang. The next few weeks may indicate future Allied strategy in the Pacific. If the campaign moves • smoothly and rapidly, champions of the South Pacific approach to Japan will have been justified. But if it breaks down, as at Guadalcanal strategy must be reassessed and another approach to Japan made than that from the south.”—P.A.