ENEMY AIRMEN

Southland Times, Issue 25705, 14 July 1943, Page 5

ENEMY AIRMEN

DETERIORATION IN QUALITY

SYDNEY, July 13. A deterioration in the quality of the Japanese pilots fighting in the central Solomons is reported by Allied flyers in the area, and Japanese Army airmen are now appearing where only Navy pilots have previously been employed. However, the enemy machines include some of the latest types. Among them are the new model Zero fighters. A dispatch from an American war correspondent in the Solomons suggests that the Japanese air base at Munda in New. Georgia may capitulate within a i week, but his view has not been sup- ) ported by Australian corerspondents. | Estimates of the strength of the Japanese ground forces on New Georgia vary between 5000 and 10,000. The defending troops are scattered in small groups and are difficult to contact. “Enemy patrols, survey parties and emplacements were scattered at all points of the compass around us, making it a difficult task to rout them out and prevent them withdrawing into I the bush,” wrote one correspondent who is accompanying the force of attacking American marines. “Other obstacles are provided by myriad small islands, uncharted reefs and thousands of inlets where enemy barges may hide all day, moving only at night. The enemy spent a considerable time in surveying such waterways before the war. While it is expected New Georgia will be cleaned up far quicker than Guadalcanar it is always possible the Japanese will attempt its heavy reinforcement, eventually withdrawing into the bush. This would necessitate long mopping-up operations.” FEW REINFORCEMENTS So far it appears that the Japanese efforts to bring any large-scale reinforcements to New Georgia have been repulsed, though small numbers may have leaked through. “The appearance of Japanese cruiser and destroyer forces in New Georgia waters indicate that the enemy is prepared to renew the tactics that in the first Solomons campaign cost them 46 ships sunk, nine probably sunk and 45 damaged, as well as thousands of lives —and did not save Guadalcanar,” says an Australian war correspondent in the area. “These tactics may lead to savage naval engagements, reverting to the days of Trafalgar when the ships stood close in and fired almost at point-blank range. This kind of naval warfare is like two blindfolded men alone in a darkened room, each armed with a knife. It is risky for both and the chances are that the first blow will decide the victor. Japanese naval gunnery (despite the results of the Battle of Kula Gulf) is good, even if that of the Japanese Army artillery is bad. Every time we fight an action of this kind we risk our ships. The United States Navy, however, has long felt it has the edge on Tojo’s fleet and every action it has fought increases that confidence.”