GREATER PATROL ACTIVITY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLII, Issue 22378, 16 September 1942, Page 5

GREATER PATROL ACTIVITY

Little Change In New Guinea Heavy Fighting Likely Soon M.Z.P.A. —Special Australian Corresponded (12.22 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 16. Patrol activity on the Owen Stanley battle front south of Efogi is increasing, but the general situation remains unchanged. Low level Allied air attacks against enemy positions are being maintained. It was revealed to-day that General Sir Thomas Blarney recently visited the battle zone. He has now returned to Australia. While in New Guinea, Sir Thomas Blarney inspected troops in the field and visited hospitals. Some observers believe that the opposing forces completed their regrouping and heavy fighting will soon be resumed. The enemy has made no strong attempt to continue his drive since he reached Efogi area last Wednesday. The need for the maintenance of the Allies’ marked air superiority is widely emphasised. This is regarded as vital to Port Moresby's defence. North of Australia Allied medium bombers machine-gunned two enemy cargo ships. At Saumlakkhi Harbour, on Yamdena Island, in the Tenimber group, Australian Hudsons made an attack. A war correspondent says no direct hits were scored but it is probable that at least one ship was damaged. Since Saturday five enemy cargo ships, cruisers and six destroyers have been attacked by aircraft of General MacArthur’s Command. Until last week-end only reconnaissance activity has been reported to the north of Australia and the speed with which Allied bombers attack every time enemy shipping shows itself in this area is a high compliment to the efficiency and thoroughness, of the reconnaissance. Cecil Brown, the Columbia radio commentator, who was recently in Australia, believes that the Increasing Japanese efforts in New Guinea and the Solomons are activated by a desire to “save face.” The latest communiques from the South Pacific show that the enemy is paying a big price. Our efforts to reinforce Australia and New Zealand unfortunately as yet are not substantial. The Japanese still hold the strongest points in the Southwest Pacific, and so far we have not been strong enough to drive them out. But we are holding our own and gaining strength. A more sombre assessment is made by the Washington columnist, Drew Pearson, who says the position in the South Pacific is serious, particularly in the Solomons, which the Japanese seem intent on recapturing. Japanese Air Strength The prolonged absence of Japanese air activity in the South-west Pacific does not mean that the enemy is critically short of aircraft. If the Japanese land push across the Owen Stanley Range is to develop into a strong backdoor offensive against Port Moresby, it must be supported by heavy air attacks. This view is advanced by Australian war commentators, who believe that Japan is building up air strength for close co-ordination with her land forces should they succeed in forcing their way to Port Moresby’s perimeter defences. If the Japanese move beyond the cover of the jungle they will become exposed to Allied aircraft, artillery and armoured fighting vehicles. In such circumstances the Japanese are expected to throw in the full weight of their available air support. Observers point to the fact that twice during the last six weeks the Japanese raided Port Moresby with a force of 26 heavy bombers strongly escorted by Zero fighters. This indicates that in spite of considerable losses Japan still has planes though she is using them sparingly. The small fighter field at Buna obviously intended to support Japan’s present drive as well as her Milne Bay landing operations, but it has proved extremely vulnerable. Japan has not attempted to put the small Kokoda airfield into operation. It is believed that this field may not be used since flying conditions there are notoriously difficult. The possibility that the enemy may construct airfields in the level Markham Valley area cannot be ignored. Commentators emphasise that the brightest feature of the recent fighting is the continued air support given to the Australian troops. While it is admitted that the use of aircraft against a jungle hidden enemy is limited, the success of the Kittyhawk fighters at Milne Bay proves that concentrated strafing even in thick timber can harass the enemy and inflict substantial casualties. In strafing and lowlevel bombing operations along the ravines of the Owen Stanley Range, Australian and American airmen have had to run grave risks to get below the clouds which cover the mountains.

Unified Command Urged The Japanese advances in New Guinea are largely due to a lack of unified command in the South-west Pacific, says the “New York Daily News.” The Solomons offensive is described as a navy show with General MacArthur’s bomber assistance received none too graciously. “The New Guinea affair is an army show with General MacArthur in charge. He is responsible to the Army Secretary (Mr H. L. Stimson). Vice-Admiral Ghormley is in charge of the Navy show. He is responsible to Admiral Chester Nimitz, who is responsible to the Navy Secretary (Colonel Frank Knox). When General MacArthur was rushed to Australia after the brilliant defence of Batan, Washington saluted him as a great hero and let it be generally known that he would have charge of the South-west Pacific. Then the Navy sailed into the picture. “Our enemies are skilled In the art of taking advantage of our divided counsels. The Japanese began the war against America with the advantage that the Army general and the Navy admiral commanding at Hawaii were hardly speaking to each other though both were supposed to be defending Pearl Harbour. We cannot win this war by divided command and counsels and by chipping authority away from capable military men.” Colonel Tolchenov, Soviet military observer, writing in “Red Star,” says the Japanese cannot afford to stop their advance towards Australia. If Japan stops now it will enable the Allies to strengthen their position. Japan, having captured tremendous island territories, cannot hope to hold them while restricting the activities of her troops to Pacific defence.