FLEET SIGHTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 61, 13 March 1942, Page 5

FLEET SIGHTED

HEADED FOR PORT MORESBY JAPANESE FORCE Sydney,. March 12. American radio stations broadcast reports that a Japanese invasion fleet has been sighted which is headed for Port Moresby. ‘•With the real beginning of the jammer - blow offensive of the R.A.A.F. against j apanese-occupiea areas, the curtain has been lifteu on i the war ior mastery of air ana Lana Ln New Guinea ana Papua,” states a I war correspondent oi tne Sydney Morning Herald in New Guinea. “Trie dispersal ol enupiy fortes over tne occapiea area oi the Huon Gull, ana the new landing at Finschnaien point to a desperate attempt oy the Japanese to consolidate their grip oeiore Australia is ready to launch a heavy codHtei-oiiensive. The R.A.A.F - . is making devastating attacks in an attempt to smash the Japanese positions oeiore the landings can be consolidated.” AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE PLANS OF AXIS POWERS (Recd. 12.7 a.m.) Zurich, March 12. Italian newspapers are commenting on the Australian situation, saying: Australia does not possess sufficient means of defence ana will shortly become the object of a Japanese offensive. Under-populated Australia will in future not only serve Japanese interests but, according to a BerlinRome plan, the youtn ol over-popu-lated Axis nations will obtain a chance to expolit the richness oi this country. The Axis is determined to deprive England of all her monopoly rights in Australia.