INVASION ATTEMPT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24912, 11 May 1942, Page 5

INVASION ATTEMPT

CORAL SEA BATTLE JAPAN SUFFERS HEAVILY RENEWAL OF ACTION EXPECTED (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Reclaim.) SYDNEY, May 10. A full-scale attempt to invade Australia has been temporarily turned aside, but the danger is still present. This warning is given by a war correspondent at an advanced Allied base. The Prime Minister,-Mr J. Curtin, sounded the same note when he declared: " The invasion menace is capable hourly of becoming an actuality." It is pointed out that no mention has been made of troop transports. The Japanese naval force is believed to have been sent ahead to blast a way for the transport of land forces. It is thought here that it was intended by the Japanese to make a direct invasion of North Queensland. ~ No. assessment has beeii made of the strength of the forces engaged or the size of the battle area. It is obvious they were very considerable. Some estimates claim that the Japanese forces were larger than those employed in the Battle of Java. It is generally held that a most satisfying feature of the encounter was the destruction of two enemy aircraft carriers. As far as is known, these were the only Japanese aircraft carriers operating in the South-west Pacific. The enemy seaplane tender which was damaged was one of three known to have been engaged for some time in ferrying Japanese air strength from home bases to Kabaul. The loss of these vessels means that the Japanese have lost again, at least temporarily, air ascendancy irt the South-west Pacific theatre. Whether they will be able to rehabilitate their position will probably depend on what use can be made of the five aircraft carriers which were recently operating in the Bay of Bengal and have now disappeared from the Indian Ocean. With no air umbrella to guard them, the Japanese naval forces were last reported steaming northward to an area where land-based aircraft from recentlyoccupied island aerodromes afford some protection. • The latest report last night of the big naval engagement in the Coral Sea stated that it had temporarily ceased. A communique issued yesterday afternoon from the headquarters of the South-west Pacific Command made no reference to, the report of additional Japanese losses, including the second aircraft carrier, which was previously reported heavily damaged, and six or seven destroyers, nor is any information available of Allied losses. One correspondent at an advanced Allied base declares that the known enemy losses are 18 warships sunk, . two aircraft carriers, one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, nine destroyers, four gunboats, and one supply vessel. He also reports, that four were badly damaged—one heavy cruiser,-one light cruiser, one 9000-ton seaplane tender, and one cargo vessel. He adds that the Japanese broke off the engagement, speeding northwards in an attempt to get out of range of Allied bombs. "The news is heartening, but it is too early to say whether it is conclusive. The first round goes to us. How decisive it is remains to be seen." This comment of an Allied High Command spokesman typifies the careful Australian reaction to the news of the great battle in the Coral Sea. Other commentators express the opinion that, though the Japanese naval forces have broken off the engagement, they may be regrouped and reinforced, and the great battle may enter a new phase. 'Everywhere there is a keen desire to avoid over-optimism.