The Southland Times WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1942. It Could Happen Anywhere

Southland Times, Issue 24760, 3 June 1942, Page 4

The Southland Times WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1942. It Could Happen Anywhere

IT WAS reported yesterday that when news vendors in the Sydney streets announced the submarine attack which had been made on Sunday night “the public was incredulous.” This involuntary reaction showed once more how hard it is to cultivate a genuine preparedness. The harbour defences were ready. But the people, upon whom so much depends in these days of total warfare, were taken completely by surprise. For most of them the war was a dark cloud on their remote northern coasts. . They undoubtedly realized that their country was in danger; but they probably believed that it was a danger which would approach gradually, by clearly marked stages providing ample time for psychological adjustment. Yet the Japanese have always gambled heavily on the element of surprise. It is barely six months since they attacked Pearl Harbour. After that bombshell it should not have been necessary to remind people living in Pacific countries that they had to be constantly on their guard against a clever, powerful and treacherous enemy—“treacherous,” that is, in the sense that he fights strictly in accordance with his own rules. But there are still many persons in Australia and New Zealand who base their attitudes on their own views of what the Japanese are likely to do. Japan is a long way from Sydney and Wellington. Her z shipping capacity is already over-taxed. Her battleships could never get through the Anzac naval cordon. And in any case, why should the Japanese want to bother with the thickly populated eastern coast of Australia, or the remote centres of New Zealand? In this way the familiar arguments run their course. It is easy to remain inactive, or to act only under compulsion, when danger has been removed by logical reasoning. The only logic which matters just now should be found in facts rather than in theories. It is a plain fact, for instance, that midget submarines entered Sydney harbour on Sunday night. And it is a safe inference from this fact that Japanese warships are off the east coast of Australia, somewhere in the Tasman sea. If the submarines are of the type used at Pearl Harbour they would have a range of not more than 200 miles. To start them off on their daring attack it would be necessary for the mother ship to move in fairly close to Sydney. It is possible that no return voyage was planned: midget submarines are usually reserved for suicidal exploits. By the time the small flotilla reached Sydney the mother ship and its escort may have steamed a long way on a different course, perhaps beyond the reach of interception. But the significance of the attack is fairly plain. The Japanese intend to strike where they can, and as hard as they can, at vital points on the Pacific supply route. With characteristic boldness, they aimed their first blow at the all-important terminus. If they had been a little more skilful, or a little more lucky, the attempt might easily have ended in a spectacular success. Apparently there are naval targets in Sydney which the enemy is anxious to reach. Now that the first surprise attack has failed, it will be harder to penetrate the defences a second time, although the Japanese—who are nothing if not tenacious—may try again with larger forces. But there are other points on the supply route, any one of which may receive the next visitation. The Minister of National Service has already reminded the people of New Zealand that “it can happen here.” He was not exaggerating. There is always a possibility—indeed, it is becoming a strong probability—that hit and run tactics will be used at strategic points in the Dominion. The country’s defences are organized to meet an emergency of that kind. But the Sydney raid should be accepted as a warning with far wider implications. The Japanese are beginning to move against the Pacific supply lines. This may mean that the most m be expected is a series of raids. But there may also be action on a larger scale. Complete preparedness, for any possible development, should be the national objective in New Zealand.