Evening star., 1942-04-05
Confidence Mountino
That Australia Can
Be Held as Base
Allies Dominate Skies,
Telling 10 Jap Planes
At Timor and Darwin
BY the Associated Press.
UNITED STATES ARMY HEAD

by tne hooOSihteo Eress'
UNITED STATES ARMY HEAD
QUARTERS IN AUSTRALIA, April
4.-Gen. Douglas Macarthur be-
spoke Eastertide divine guidance
"in the great struggle that looms
ahead" today as confidence mounted
In Allied quarters that the United
Nations will be able to defend this
Australian springboard for an even
tual offensive in the Southwest
Pacific.
Much Of this confidence, it was
disclosed, sprang from steady aerial
reinforcementS now making possible
an air patrol Of Australia's ap-
proaches SO comprehensive that it
should give three or four days ad-
vance warning of the appearance
Of Japanese invasion forces.
Allied aviation continued to domi-
nate the skies. shooting down at
least 10 Japanese planes and prob
ably IL.
Six were destroyed in q raid on
Koepang, Dutch Tmor, and four
Observation-Disclosures shot down
in breaking up a raid on Darwin,
where anti-aircraft bagged two and
fighting planes two. Two Japanese
fighting planes also were listed as
probably destroyed.
The few bombs dropped at Dar-
win killed two civilians. but caused
no damage, said communique.
Asks Divine Guidance.
Gen. Macarthur, an Episcopalian
from Little Rock, Ark, introduced
the religious note in his military
preparations in reply to a radio
gram from w. P. Witsell, director
Of Little Rocks Christ Church,
who said, "The church of your bap-
tism sends Easter greetings and
expression Of faith and loving pride
in you"
In answer Gen. Macarthur mes
saged: "At the altar where I first
Joined the sanctuary of God, I ask
that you seek divine guidance for me
in the great struggle that looms
ahead"
For the Allied generalissimo, how
ever, Easter Sunday promised to be
a day of feverish work. He contin-
ued his conferences with American
and Australian leaders, mapping
strategy and organization.
Fresh from a visit to American
encampments, Australian Army
Minister Francis Forde declared
United States and Australian troops
ARE being welded together into one
great army which will adopt an Of
fensive. not a defensive. policy
that will sweep to the sea any enemy
daring to set foot on Australian
soil"
Like Our Own Boys"
The Americans ARE like our own
boys-very fine troops, Of high ply
sical standard. From their great
leader down to the privates, they
are men Of whom any nation could
feel justifiably proud. I believe they
will successfully dovetail with our
army and, in the words of Gen.
Macarthur, stand as blood brothers
in the fight for democracy"
1t. Gov Hubertus J. Van Nook
of the Netherlands Indies expressed
doubt, however, that the Japanese
ever would attempt a full scale in
vasion of Australia.
Noting that the Japanese drive
already had been slowed down either
because they were not prepared to
advance farther in this direction in
the first place, or because Of Allied
blows. he said Japan might attempt
only to neutralize Australia as a
base by occupying some northern
points.
Burma is the real danger spot, he
declared.
Some quarters said clouds of cor
rosive dust from Matupi Volcano,
usual at this time of year, may be
hampering japanese aerial opera
tions from their base at Rabaul in
New Britain.
Headquarters spokeSmen said
President Manuel Quezon of the
Philippines had sent a message of
inspiration and hope to his people
to be broadcast over the United
States Armys radio which blankets