DARWIN AREA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25213, 30 April 1943, Page 3

DARWIN AREA

COMMANDER’S INSPECTION “HOLDING STEEL RING ” SYDNEY, Apl. 27. An enemy reconnaissance plane was reported overhead while the commander of the Allied Land Forces, General Sir Thomas Blarney, was reviewing a parade of troops in the Darwin area during his 6000-mile tour of northern military establishments. Spitfires sent up to intercept were unable to find the plane, which escaped into scattered cloud. “The Japanese will not accept recent setbacks without a serious attempt to retrieve the situation,” General Blarney told the troops. “He is concentrating in the North-west Archipelago and in the north-east has very considerable forces. He has been helped in this because he has been practically free from molestation in other areas. “We are not in a position to carry the show to him on a large scale yet, but, just as Britain, with weak air forces, was able to win the Battle of Britain, so I hope we, with not so weak air forces, will be able to prevent him making any headway in this area. You are holding part of a steel ring behind which the safety of Australia lies, and you are holding a very important part in that ring.” General Blarney flew over the entire Darwin area, checking the defences, and he inspected a large number of fixed and other defences on foot before leaving the area. “ These northern forces are very well equipped, and anyone who tries to take them on will have a very difficult job,” he told war correspondents. “Conditions for the troops have improved out of all recognition. Organisation and lines of communication have also been greatly improved, and the position is more effective than it was a year ago. “ I have been very greatly impressed with the bearing and morale of troops, and this applies to all branches of the services in the area."