Evening star., 1943-07-04
Pacific Front

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week added fresh territory to that taken
in the rollback of the japanese has
placed serious problem before Toxic
which must be solved with the only al
tentative the surrender of additional
islands which the Japs seized in their
first mad rush toward Australia. The
progress made by the Allies in moving
up through the Solomons and toward
ridding New Guinea of the Japs leopard
ICES the entire Solomons position of the
invaders Only Bougainville, Santa Isa-
bel and a few others will remain in
Jap hands after New Georgia falls and
these will be within easy striking dis
tance of American aircraft which will
be able to provide on adequate air UNI
brella for surface forces which may move
forward. Rabaul on New Britain can be
attacked from New Georgia and from
New Guinea when these islands are
under Allied control. and that control
seems certain if the Japs fail to bring up
reinforcements
Most of the observers believe that
Japan must either risk another naval
action on large scale or lose their foot
hold in the Solomons. The dispatch of
any SiZable force to the rescue of the
troops in the Southwest Pacific raises
problems in the defense of islands lying
in other areas which would be menaced
if too much strength were diverted from
their defense.
The week started in the Solomons
with the almost routine announcement
that Munda. Villa, Kahili, Ballale on
Bougainville Island and Rekata Bay had
been bombed by Navy planes on Sun
day. Salamaua and Lac also received
their usual visit. Similar reports came
out covering the activities of Monday
the electrifying revelation of the attack
and landings on Rendova, at Viru and
Nassau Bays and the successful outcome
of the air battle So well was the at
tack co-ordinated other planes and ships
of the Allied forces struck at Rekata
Bay, Bougainville and Baku Island
strong points and other japanese bases
which might otherwise have sent air
strength to support the Munda garrison.
Land at Night.
The landing at Nassau Bay, which was
made by both Army and Marine units,
occurred during the blackest hours Of the
night. The surprised Japs who began
resisting as soon as the Allied forces
were discovered found fresh troubles
when Australian troops in their rear
began moving forward to make contact
with the troops moving in from the
beach.
The latest report from Gen. Mac
Arthurs headquarters indicated that all
operations were moving forward
smoothly
At the upper end Of the dangerously
extended japanese line, American bomb
ers keep up an intensive campaign on
the Japanese holding Kiska, staging six
and seven bombing raids day.
The course to be followed at Kiska is
not clearly indicated. The island is
known to be heavily fortified with tre-
mendous fire power, but in its present iso-
lated condition offers no serious threat
to American operations. Whether a
costly landing operation will be under
taken or the Japs will be slowly pounded
into submission from the air remains to
be disclosed.
Another area giving the Japanese
great concern is that in Fukien Province
in China which lies along the coast and
in which the Japs have only small areas
of occupation. It was reported last
week from Toxic that the United States
Air Force has established q number Of
fields from which bombing raids could
be staged on Japans home islands. Real
concern is felt over the situation and
there were reports that Japanese naval
force had early last week been seen
moving in that direction. The purpose
would appear to be to support new
campaign to drive the Chinese. further
back from the coast and capture the air
bases which the japanese believe exist.
In the meantime, Chinese troops con-
tinue to press the Japs back in the
Hangchow area and down the Yangtze
from Chungking. The latest figures Of
Jono pasA 1oeeAe In thu III .fa tad drive