THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES Monday, May 11, 1942. A SIGNIFICANT BATTLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24912, 11 May 1942, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES Monday, May 11, 1942. A SIGNIFICANT BATTLE

The known enemy losses in the great naval battle off the north-east coast of Australia are heavy—heavy enough to hurt. Japan possesses a large navy, but a navy upon which an ever-increasing strain must be placed as the attempt is made to consolidate and extend her conquests in the Pacific and to bring the Indian Ocean sea-lines under tribute. It is no inconsiderable mixed squadron of Nippon's forces which now rests in the depths of the Coral Sea, while in addition a number of heavier vessels have been damaged. The public will be impatient, and underso, for an announcement as to Aliied losses, but it is not difficult 'to understand the strategical reasons for withholding this information meanwhile. The official statement that they are relatively slight must be accepted without cavil. Engagements on a major scale cannot, in this era of combined sea and air operations, be carried out without hazards, including the risking of aircraft carriers and the larger types of warships. It is clear that, in comparison with the engagement two months ago in the Java Sea, when Allied losses were heavy and the enemy recklessly achieved his objective, the Coral Sea actions have been most satisfactory, both in the low cost and the complete thwarting of Japanese intentions. The people of Australia and New Zealand will be very keenly conscious of the significance of the movement of the Japanese fleet which was intercepted by the Allied forces and dispersed. The enemy ( had embarked, obviously, upon what was planned as another conclusive operation in the investment of the two souther ft dominions. The Australian and United States air offensive over New Guinea had forced him to undertake a major sea expedition with the object of Completing the occupation of this last north-western Pacific outpost, perhaps, of endeavouring to extend the line of island ! comniunications to eastern Australian waters. A successful operation in this direction would both increase the physical menace to the dominions and threaten their vital communications with the United States. Neither danger has been removed. In view of the strength and tenacity of the enemy, no greater mistake could be made than to assume that the battle of the Coral Sea has secured the Allies against further large-scale offensive actions by the enemy. But he has suffered a measurable reverse, extremely important on several counts. Not only have his forces been turned back, with heavy losses, when on a definite mission, but the deadly combination of naval and air attack employed against him establishes for the first time in the Pacific war that the Allies are acquiring both the strength and the tactical resources to cope with him.