Evening star., 1943-07-01
Great Naval Batt|e May Follow
Island Landings by Americans in
Drive Believed Aimed at Rabau|
CounterbIows
By japanese
Held Likely
~ the Associated Press.

0S tuS ASSOCldleQ fEeSS.
The launching of a vast Allied
offensive aimed at the heart of
Japan's Southwest Pacific bas-
tions was viewed in informed
quarters here today as the spark
that may touch off another mo-
mentous and possibly decisive
naval engagement.
Observers expressed belief that
Tokio's warlords cannot much
longer avoid another open test OF
sea power If they hope to stem the
coordinated land, naval and air
drive which began with announce
ment that American forces had
landed on Rendova Island and was
followed quickly by series of as
suits on key points of the New
Guinea area.
Satisfactory progress is being
made by the American forces in the
new offensive, Secretary OF War
Stimson reported at his press con-
ference this morning. He said the
drive was planned at Washington
conference several weeks ago OF
commanders from the Pacific area
and that it is proceeding on sched-
ule
Our forces have reached the
outer defenses of Japan and strong
enemy reaction may be expected"
the Secretary said.
That Gen. Douglas Macarthur
personally is directing the whole ac-
ton underscored the full-dress ma
ture of the campaign now under
way.
Gigantic Pincers Movement.
AS Allied forces moved into posi-
ton at Nassau Bay on the north
coast of New Guinea, Trobriand and
Woodlark Islands southeast of New
Guinea and Rendova and New
Georgla-all in the Solomons-it ap-
peared that gigantic pincers
movement was being aimed at the
strategic and heavily-fortifled
enemy base at Rabaul. on New
Britain. There was fighting in some
places and the Allies were unop-
posed in others. Rabaul is generally
regarded as the center of the whole
japanese structure IN the South and
Southwest Pacific areas.
1t was believed here that the en-
emv now may be compelled to throw
battleShips ard aircraft carriers,
cruisers. destroyers and submarines
into major counteroffensive. Loss
Of Rabaul not only would expose the
supply lines which link all of ia
pans conquered territories in that
whole area but would give the Allies
a jumping-off place for an assault
on the big enemy naval base at
Truk Island, 1000 miles to the north.
Distances Furnish Clue.
Distances furnish clue to the
future development of the campaign.
Rendova is only nautical miles
from the enemy airbase at Munda,
which in turn is only 125 miles
from the japanese bases in the
Shorthand Island-Bougainville area
and 800 miles-fghter plane rarge-
from Rabaul The scene OF the Rem
dova- New Georgia operations is ap-
proximately 200 miles northwest OF
American held Guadalcanal.
The Rendova operation, directed
by Admiral William F. Halsey, jr,
commander of the South Pacific
forces which we're merged under
Gen. MacArthur's Southwest Pa
cific command for the joint opera
ton, forms the eastern prong OF
giant pincers pointing toward
Rabaul.
To the west are Gen. MacArthurs
own forces battling toward the
enemy stronghold at Salamaua, only
a few miles from Nassau Bay. And
in the middle of these two opera
tons are the Trobriand and Wood
lark Island groups. which were oc-
cupied by Allied forces without op-
position.
There was TO word on the size
of the forces involved, but it was
assumed that they were powerful
since Secretary of the Navy Knox
recently disclosed that a great fleet
had been assembled in the South
Pacific. Other authorities have re-
ported a steady strengthening Of all
forces in the Solomons.
The decision to be made in Toxic
now is whether to spend heavily in
planes. ships and men-as the en-
emy did in the struggle for Guadal-
lSee PACIFIC. PAGE A-20D