STRONG FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24890, 14 April 1942, Page 5

STRONG FORCES

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE AID FROM AMERICA IMPRESSIVE DIMENSIONS ißec. 2 a.m.) BRISBANE. Apl. 13. “America’s war effort in Australia already is most impressive,” declared the American correspondent, Mr H. R. Knickerbocker, who has just completed a tour of important military areas. “ This is the first time anyone who witnessed the fall of Java has felt a right to be optimistic,” he adds. “ Indeed, it is now possible to say with complete conviction that we are prepared to defend Australia with a greater force than we have ever mustered since the American ■ Expeditionary Force went to France. I refer mainly to the flow of war materials, especially aeroplanes, which have already entered Australia and have been disposed around Australia in such dimensions that suggest that we intend at all costs to hold this continent against the Japanese.” Mr Knickerbocker explained that in 7000 or 8000 miles of travel he saw in a gigantic panorama the picture of the Continent feverishly at work preparing to defend itself against a greater mortal peril that any of its inhabitants ever dreamed could visit it, and for an American, it was a matter of keen pride to note that throughout the length and breadth of the Continent every nook and cranny had its American contingent of fighting forces. Speaking at a meeting of the Australia and America co-operation movement to-day, the Minister of Supply. Mr J. A. Beasley, paid an eloquent tribute to the aid given by America to Australia. He said the help which had come forward in the past few weeks would enable the Allied forces throughout the Commonwealth to deal with the enemy in such a way as he had never before experienced. Mr Beasley expressed the opinion that the blows inflicted by American and Australian airmen in the New Guinea area had frustrated the immediate prospect of enemy invasion.

RAIDED AGAIN ENEMY AT RABAUL (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) LONDON. Apl. 13. Rabaul has been raided again, for the fourth day in succession. A Canberra communique states that in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter interception, one direct hit and two very near misses were scored on a ship in Rabaul harbour. All of our planes returned, and although some received slight damage, there were no casualties. Koepang, in Dutch Timor, was raided again yesterday. The aerodrome and barracks were bombed, but no details of the raid are available. The Allied airmen are making the most strenuous efforts to maintain the hammering of enemy ships, troops, aerodromes, and installations in the captured points north of Australia. The stories of the recent atrocities in New Guinea are spurring them on.

DEVASTATING ATTACKS

WIDESPREAD OPERATIONS CANBERRA, Apl. 13.

Saturday's Allied air offensive against enemy-occupied territory north-east of Australia is described as the most widespread and devastating yet undertaken. Bombers, escorted by fighters, operated in large wavss, dealing out destruction to grounded enemy aircraft, aerodromes, shipping, and harbour installations at Lae. Rabaul, and Faisi. This is the first time Faisi, which is one of the smallest islands in the Solomons, has been attacked. These ihree successful operations were carried out in lyoad daylight, and seemingly caught the enemy .unawares. The wharves and sheds at Faisi were bombed on Saturday morning, but the extent of the damage was not ascertained. The Prime Minister. Mr J. Curtin, issued the following communique last night;—ln successful week-end attacks on enemy-occupied positions at Lae. Rabaul, and Faisi the Allied air forces destroyed and damaged bombers on the ground, attacked anti-aircraft gun positions. set fire to buildings, and machinegunned flying boats on the water. From all these operations two of our aircraft are missing. Lae was raided early on Saturday by Allied bombers, escorted by fighters. A direct hit was made on a group of enemy bombers, and another group of four aircraft was probably damaged by a near miss. Japanese Zero fighters attempted interception, but were driven off after two had been damaged. Aerodromes and shipping at Rabaul were attacked by another Allied force at noon on Saturday. Buildings were set alight by bombs and machine-gun fire, The fires were visible for over 50 miles. Moored flying boats were machine-gunned, three being damaged. Enemy personnel were ' machinegunned. Bombs were dropped on shipping in the harbour, but the results have not been reported.

AUSTRALIAN TROOPS

SPIRIT OF RUTHLESSNESS (Rec, 0.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, Apl. 13. “The spirit of offence and ruthlessness in our troops has been quickened by the invasion threat hanging over this country,*’ said the Minister for the Army, Mr F. M. Forde, to-day. Accompanied by 30 American, British, and Australian correspondents, Mr Forde visited Australian and American camps and saw troops being “toughened up ” and engaging in realistic battle practice. “ To-day’s visits made me more confident of the ability of our army to deal with any attempted invasion or take the offensive at the proper time,” Mr Forde added. THE PACIFIC THEATRE IMPORTANCE STRESSED (Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, Apl. 13. Dr H. V. Evatt, broadcasting, declared that the United Nations must treat Japan as an enemy fully as dangerous as Germany, since the future life of Europe and America may depend on the outcome of the war in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. He said: “ Each theatre of war must be carefully weighed as to importance and relationship to other theatres, with the Pacific given as much importance as, if not more than, any other area. Don't let us underestimate Japan. It is no longer a question of beating Hitler first, for while Hitler has suffered losses. Japan has suffered virtually none since December 7.” Dr Evatt rebuffed those persons who claim that India will be attacked j before Australia. He declared that i this idea was fallacious, and the Japanese would probably move simultaneously against both countries.