JAPS GAINING TIME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 3, 5 January 1943, Page 5

JAPS GAINING TIME

TENACIOUS RESISTANCE AT SANANANDA (Recd. 10 p.m.) New York, Jan. 4 The tenacious resistance in the BunaSanananda area indicates that the Japanese are attempting to gain time before launching operations else where, says the New York HeraidTribune’s correspondent, Majoi Eliot. He suggests trial the Japanese offensive was delayed by shortage of aircraft-carriers and points out that ’carriers have not participated in the latest Solomons battle and have not

oeen reported anywhere since. It L> possible that all ’carriers have been sunk or are undergoing repairs in dockyards. The ’carrier has been the spearhead of most of their naval offensives. For that reason the Japanese are reluctant to initiate largescale operations without them. The North American Newspaper Alliance’s writer, Colonel Palme:, praises General MacArthur's conduct of the New Guinea campaign, which ne cans as tough a test as Bataan. He declares that the Australians and Americans, in the unceasing pressure of hugger mugger fighting in primitive, savage jungles, have proven that ,n.y ... ■ .aasters of the Japanese in land fighting, as our sailors and fliers are their masters in air and sea warfare.

“The Allied troops who beat a way from Port Moresby to Buna performed a marvellous and miraculous feat unsurpassed in our history. We made General MacArthur a hero for his defence of Bataan. Tribute is also due him as an offensive general. He was

sent to Australia to hold the bag while we turned our main strength against Germany. He has held the ag—and very much more.”