The Waikato Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1942. JAPANESE TACTICS

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21689, 27 March 1942, Page 2

The Waikato Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1942. JAPANESE TACTICS

Japanese movements to the north of Australia suggest several possibilities, none of which should be taken as a reason for complacency or over-confidence. If Japan is hesitating it should not be imagined that she has reached the end of her powers for mischief. The only safe course is to act as though the full might of the enemy is to be thrown against Australia and New Zealand. That undoubtedly is the Japanese intention. It has been assumed that the Japanese attempt to occupy New Guinea indicated the intention to use that country as a base for the attack on Australia. It has become apparent that the enemy is not making very rapid headway in New Guinea, but whether this is because his communications, particularly shipping, have suffered heavily, because he has not the manpower available, or because he does not intend a full-scale attack there, is not known. The Japanese have not always done the obviQUs thing. The invasion of New Guinea might be only a continuation of the occupation of the island territories or a feint to delude Australia into the belief that the attack will come from New Guinea to cover preparations in another direction. At least it seems that the enemy is not using his full strength to subdue New Guinea, unless he has suffered much heavier losses than are known to the public. He now has the choice of a great line of bases stretching thousands of miles across the north of Australia, and it is not improbable that he will assemble his invasion armada in a position less exposed to aerial attack from Australia than New Guinea. In that case, when the attack comes, the invasion fleet may have to face an aerial and perhaps naval attack over a longer voyage. Japanese bombers are not causing in New Guinea the havoc they have caused elsewhere. This may be because the bomber force is not being employed to the full extent or because the defending air force is more powerful. Port Moresby has been subjected to many raids, mostly from a great altitude, but apparently no very serious damage has resulted. If Japan had pursued earlier tactics this port would have been attacked from the sea long ago. It can be hoped that the absence of such an attack is due to the pounding received by the invasion fleets further northward at Lae and Salamaua. Japan must at least face the prospect of very heavy losses at sea before a landing can be made on Australian soil.