Evening star., 1942-03-18
Australia
Continued From First PageD

tCOIlUlnuCQ fTOIn TlISl FdRc.J
scale counterblows against the en-
emy.
An Australian broadcast said the
Australian Army would retain its
identity within the Allied frame
work under an Australian COM
mander answerable to Gen Mac
Arthur.
Administrative details, it said,
probably will be shaped by an Allied
war council in the AustralianNew
Zealand area. with Australian and
American commanders of the sepa-
rate branches as members under
Gen. MacArthur's craftsmanship.
Allies Bomb Poepang.
Allied bombers continued to
smash at the enemys potential
jumping bases, raiding an air
drome at Jap-held Koepang, capital
of Dutch Timor, in the East Indies.
Ten enemy fighters unsuccess-
fully attempted to intercept the
raiders" an Australian communique
said, adding that the attackers
scored hits despite poor visibility.
Timor lies across the Timor Sea
from the oft-bombed Northern Aus
tralian port of Darwin.
Two. new Japanese air raids to-
day on the Solomon Islands east Of
Cape York were announced by Mr..
Curtin. an Australian broadcast said
The broadcast said Tulagi and one
other point in the islands we're at
tackled but that details of the raids
had not yet been received.
Japans imperial headquarters re-
ported that IS Allied planes were
shot down or destroyed on airdromes
in air raids last Friday and Satur-
day on Horn Island, off northern
most Queensland, and Port Moresby.
New Guinea, 300 miles to the north
east.
Offensive Spirit Persists.
1--WE are the base from which to
strike at the enemy" Mr.. Curtin
said. and it was evident that the
ShOrt-term prospect of Japanese
invasion attempt did not obscure the
offensive spirit.
Formally announcing Gen. Mac
Arthur's appointment, Mr.. Curtin
said it was the answer to a direct
appeal from the Australian govern
ment to President Roosevelt that
tho 1nfonlnr Nf tho phi1ipoiy1nc ho
lent to Australia.
Mr. Curtin pointed out that Amer
ican aid was "doubly welcome be-
cause Great Britain could not carry
the burden in the Pacific while en-
gagged in life-and-death struggle
with Germany and Italy"
1T is most gratifying" he said,
that I am able to announce there
are most substantial American forces
In Australia.
These forces are not only most
heartening in their actuality, but
in their expression of the spirit Of
fighting shoulder to shoulder that
will give to the democracies de-
cisive strength in the struggle in
the Pacific and all theaters of the
war"
Proud to Fight for Macarthur.
Army Minister Francis M. Forde,
welcoming Gen. Macarthur, said
Australian soldiers will be proud to
work and fight" under him.
The arrival OF Gen. Macarthur
in Australia is the healthiest and
most welcome sign we have had"
said Maj. Gen. Henry Gordon Ben
nett. Australian commander in the
Malayan jungle campaign.
Military experts in Washington
cautioned that Japan still had the
edge for the battle for Australia.
They said the Allies were inferior
numerically and obliged to defend
vast and sparsely settled country
with a long coast and extended
supply lines.
However, adaptation of the coun-
try to defense in depth, numerous
air bases, the possibility of REIN
forcements and absence of fifth
column activity were counted in
Con MocArfh11r'S founr