The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-10
American, Australian
 Forces In Big Fight
Gcontanned frOm Pase D

HN oyer 6 4000-mile island arc in
 ,,s southwest Pacific war zone, was rEimarily . surprise operation against the Solomon basas from Nhich the Japanese threatened both fawasicn of Australia and the block lng Og the United States war supply line.
 L0sses Net Known
 There was no indication of losses en either side except for Tokyo's Gnmboyant claim of % Allied ves- sels sunk or damaged, but the very nature of the operations undertaken under Admiral Chester Nimitz would involve risk of casualties.
 The American communique telling oR ~considerable" Japanese resist nnce from strongly-held bases was regarded as indicating a heavy bat tic (presumably at Tulagi or Guad- aIcanaD but 1t was primarily a naval sl1ow directed from Nimitz'S Hawai- ian headquarters.
 Land based Allied planes were playing an important role in the operations, however, and MacAr- thurs American and Australian pilots dumped tons of bombs on the Japanese bases in New Guinea and . the Bismack islands to break up enemy efforts to reinforce their Solomon outposts.
 The Allied offensive represented an attempt to turn the Japanese left flank in the southwest Pacific before the enemy could get en- trenched for a blow at Australia's s mainland or strike out toward New Caledonia (now garrisoned by American troops) and New Zealand in an effort to disrupt the United States supply line.
 Urgency of this move had been increased recently by the Japanese advance in the Aroe island sector, where nte enemy seized outposts de- signed to guard his right flank against counter-attack. The Allied bomber operations were directed mainly against the Japanese center, on the north shores of New Guinea. Planes Kept In Action . From darting fighter planes to the great long range bombers, they ranged over New Guinea, the Bis 'marck and Solomons while sweating ground crews remained at action stations to refuel them and send them of again for a battle which Australians believed might mark the turning point in the Pacific war.
 It was authoritatively revealed that for one month the Allied high command, in cooperation with the Australian cabinet and war advisory council, including leaders of opposi- ton political parties, had been se- cretly planning the Allied attack which was opened on the Solomons Friday.
 Gen. Douglas MacArthur's air force was able to play its full part, it was said authoritatively, despite the fact that he and Australians had consented to diversion of vitally needed new fighter planes to other and even more urgent the atreD of the war.
 As the United States and allied naval, air and other forces fought for Q foothold in the Solomons yes- terday, MacArthur's planes made heavy attacks on the important e-Salamaua invasion zone on the Huon Cue coast of northern New Guinea, and the Gasmata and Ra- baul bases in New Britain Island.
 Allied combat patrols of Austra- Han and native troops hit strongly at the Japanese forces who had pressed halfway across south eastern New Guiea to take the Ko- koda airfleld only 55 miles from the allied base at Port Moresby.
 Infect Casualties
 They inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, 8 headquarters com munique reported.
 At Salamaua allied medium bombers strongly attacked building area and harbor installtions. They scored two hits on Japanese supply ship, already so heavily damaged thot 1t was beached, and sent the smouldering flames in its hull roar ing anew.
 The landing jetty was hit and several buildings blown up.
 An anti-aircraft gun battery which had been blasting at the AL lied planes was silenced and the Allied crews got home without loss.
 The two great Japanese bases in New Britain island just to the