AIR OFFENSIVE IN PACIFIC

Southland Times, Issue 24769, 13 June 1942, Page 5

AIR OFFENSIVE IN PACIFIC

HEAVY ALLIED RAIDS (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 12. Only one heavy bombing raid (against Port Moresby on June 1) has been made by the Japanese in the South-West Pacific area since May 18. In the same period Allied aircraft have made 60 raids, some of them in considerable force, on widely distributed enemy occupied bases. It is suggested that water-logged aerodromes and bomb-damaged rimways are important factors contributing to the Japanese inactivity. Enemy aerodromes . have figured largely among the Allied targets. Of the 60 Allied raids made since May 18, 19 have been against Rabaul and 13’ against Lae, the main enemy bases for the thrust on Port Moresby. Three raids have been made against Salamaua. In the north-western sector five raids have been made on Koepang, two on

Atamboea, two on Ermera, three on Dilli and two on Amboina. In the Japanese occupied Solomons group Tulagi has been raided four times, Bougainville twice, and Kessa once. Raids have also been made against the Louisiaide Islands. The latest Allied headquarters communique reports the destruction of an enemy four-engined flying-boat. The Japanese have been employing two types of flying-boat, the Mitsubishi 96 and the more modern Kawanisi 97, which is a military version of the type of flying-boat employed by them on the Palau-Dilli commercial route before the war. It has a range of 2000 miles. The Mitsubishi is an obsolete biplane with a range of only 1000 miles but possessing strong armour protection. SPECULATION DISCOURAGED Secret meetings of the Australian War Cabinet and the War | Advisory Council have been held. Though matters which may vitally affect the whole trend of the war in the Pacific have been discussed, the Prime Minister, Mr John Curtin, has declined to make any announcement. It is reliably reported that the Japanese have been able to gain prior knowledge of certain Allied plans in recent weeks. Hence those responsible for the conduct of the war in the South-West Pacific are anxious to discourage speculation which may give hints to the enemy of new plans. The Minister of the Army, Mr F. M. Forde, has spoken of the possibility of “counter action,” though notions of an early general offensive are scouted. The possibility of operations of a specific and limited character are not being overlooked.

“Before the time is ripe for a fullscale offensive there will be opportunities for minor attacks in order to ensure that the Japanese strength shall be distributed around her wide perimeter and concentration at any one point made more difficult,” The Sydney Morning Herald says. “It is our task to see that no such opportunity is lost on the extensive southern edge of Japan’s new frontier.” The first intimation to the world will be of action taken, and not action pending.