Evening star., 1942-07-27
BY STANLEY JOHNSTON.

CHlCASIO, July Z.-1ne cIOudS
high, white and fleecy. hung over
the towering, wild peaks of south
eastern New Guinea. Those ram
parts of rock climbed $4,000 to 49,
600 feet into the tropic skies ef-
fectively guarding the Japanese
held ports of Lac and Salamaua from
any inland assault. And Japanese
seaplane squadrons patrolling the
northeastern shores of Australia
and the islands of Melanesia for 500
miles in all directions reported there
was no sign of enemy planes or YES
sells.
Thus it was that the Japanese
with vigilance relaxed, filled up these
two harbors with their warships
tankers, supply vessels, and trans
ports. They were preparing for an
advance for New Guinea. parts of
which had been occupied weeks ear
lier, against the Australian MAIN
land. Lac and Salamaua, being only
20 miles apart. were being used as
jumping off points for the invasion
forces.
Japanese Felt Secure.
The preparations were proceeding
leisurely because the Japanese COM
manders knew that the nearest SOL
diers, fleets, and aircraft of the
United Nations were at Port Mores-
by. This harbor, still under Allied
control, was $500 miles away by
sea, all the way around the south
eastern tip Of New Guinea. Clearly
there could be no surprise attack
from there.
And yet, out of those innocent
appearing clouds on the early morn
ing of last March 10, came avenging
airmen of the United States Navy in
the first war raid in which any of
our seaborne air hornets had taken
part. Out of the wilderness skies Of
central New Guinea land where
the only peoples still are dwelling in
stone age conditions-came dive
bombers. torpedo bombers, and fight
ers that smashed this Japanese
force In 20 action crowded minutes.
This raid demonstrated perfectly
how naval air strength has-to bor-
row term from the family bridge
circle-finessed the ancient con-
cepts of sea fighting. The airplanes
taking part delivered in this short
period as much explosives against
the enemy as could the broadsides
of feet of a dozen heavy battle
ships.
Spirit to Dare Alive.
This great story never has been
told in it's amazing details-which
prove that the American spirit OF
originality and willingness to dare
is not lost.
Official Navy announcements re-
leased with the news that the IA
nous old Lexington had fulfilled
her destiny and been sunk In battle
mentioned briefly that her fighting
pilots, bombers, and gunners had
taken part in an action at New
Guinea. But the inside story, the
airmen's story, is revealed now fol
| the first time.
I shall now take you to sea at q
period when the Australians and
Americans we're reeling under the
successive Japanese victories In
Malaga, Singapore, Sumatra, Jaws
and in the Philippines. 1t was q
time in which the Japanese had
been continually on the offensive
They had held the initiative, and
had not been checked on any front
Their naval units, aided by car
riers, had seized northeastern Dutch
New Guinea, and had spread along
the northeastern coast of Austria
liam New Guinea, taking one sea
port after another.
Early in March American anc
Australian flying patrols had no.
uiced the growing nucleus of YES
sells in Lac and Sslamaua Harbors
All these patrols were being carried