THWARTED

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

THWARTED

TEMPORARY LULL JAPANESE DRIVE EXTENT OF ENEMY LOSSES (Rec. 10 p.m.) RUGBY, May 9. A United States communique gives the latest official details of the Japanese losses • in the naval engagement which has been in continuous progress in the general area southward of. the Bismarck Archipelago, in the Coral I Sea, since Monday. The Japanese losses are believed to be: : Sunk.—One aircraft carrier, one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, two destroyers, four gunboats, two transports or cargo vessels. Damaged.—One aircraft carrier, one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, one seaplane tender, two transports or cargo vessels. Skilfully Intercepted 'A communique from General MacArthur's headquarters stated that the great naval and air battle off the northeast coast of Australia has temporarily ceased. This action represents the continued effort by the Japanese to extend their aggressive conquests towards the south and the south-east. The first efforts were aimed' at expanding their air bases, but our air force consistently and effectively attacked their fields during the past six weeks, dislocating their plans by the destruction of installations and aircraft. Our reconnaissance revealed the gradual building up of naval transport elements for a co-ordinated attack by combined forces which was actually initiated several days ago. Our naval forces then attacked. In the interception they were handled with marked skill and fought with admirable courage and tenacity and the enemy has been repulsed. Mr Curtin's Comment The Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, in a broadcast, said: "The invasion menace is capable hourly of becoming an actuality. I still tell you bluntly that the whole world may very well shake within the next few weeks under the blows that full-scale warfare will strike. Australia cannot escape the blow." Mr Curtin described the battle as one which had to be fought, and said he had no doubt others would follow. He said that Australians had played an • important part in the composition of the forces which clashed with the Japanese and put them to flight. Mr Curtin added: "The Coral Sea battle is a part of the struggle, which must continue till the enemy is defeated or we are conquered. What has been done this week has been done only because of the matchless quality of the skill and courage of the Allied naval and air forces. We can be proud of and grateful for what has been done." Mr Curtin has left for Allied Headquarters to discuss with General Douglas MacArthur developments arising from the battle. PACIFIC LIFE LINE JAPANESE THREAT SIGNIFICANCE OF NAVAL BATTLE (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) LONDON. May 8. The naval battle off the Solomon Islands is regarded in London as part of the action for the possession of New Guinea, which is the key.point of the South-western Pacific. If the Japanese could hold New Guinea they would be able to strike out at New Caledonia and Fiji in an attempt to cut off American supplies to Australia and New Zealand. Then, having destroyed that lifeline, they could descend on Australia and New. Zealand. The maintenance of this Pacific protective chain, which is most important, obviously depends on adequate British and American sea power, for which reason the victory in the Solomons is highly significant, proving the strength and quality of the American fleet concentration. Evidence is growing that the Allied air power in New Guinea is regarded as the most encouraging development for some time. Important Supply Routes Australia and New Zealand are the terminus of the American Pacific chain and the jumping-off place for a northward offensive against the South-west Pacific. They are also a bastion of the Indian Ocean, and an important point in the triangle formed by Madagascar, Ceylon and Australia, in which are vital lines of Empire communication which must be held at all costs. If the Japanese held Madagascar they would be able to cut off the supply line to the Middle East and Russia. The fact that Madagascar is now held by the Allied nations ensures the supplying of these areas and also Ceylon, from where a counter-attack can be made, when reinforcements are sufficient, into the Bay of Bengal, which is now disputed waters. The Indian Ocean Mr Churchill's statement that a powerful covering fleet entered Diego Suarez is regarded as most encouraging from the viewpoint both of the holding of Madagascar and the strengthening of the position in the Indian Ocean. It is thought that the Japanese are unlikely to attempt to dominate the Indian Ocean. They must be selective in their targets. It is probable that if they attack India it will be by sea rather than from Burma, which is a most difficult country to negotiate. Their main objective in Burma at present appears to be to seal off China. Japan's lines of sea communication are becoming tauter. When the United Nations have accumulated strong sea and air power it is possible that a situation may occur resembling events leading to the Battle of Jutland, which developed after a series of attacks against convoys.