The Battle of the Solomons
In the Solomon Islands, and in Guadalcanal in particular, great land, sea and air battles are taking place whose outcome will have important effects on the whole war in the Pacific. A glance at a large-scale map will show why both sides are concentrating their efforts on the domination of these islands. Several hundred miles to the east of New Guinea—itself the scene of hard fighting—they are drawn out in a line for some six hundred miles directly across the shortest sea-route from Pearl Harbour to north-eastern Aus- tralia. The Japanese must hold the Solomon Islands if they are to extend their advance southwards, and the Allies must hold them to keep their communications clear if they are to advance against the tnemy from Australia. The air-field held by the Americans in Guadalcanal is the focal point of _operations. The Japanese have
landed powerful reinforcements on the island and have launched co- ordinated land, sea and air attacks on the Arnerican positions. There is no doubt that both sides are employing large numbers of naval units and have been heavily engaged. Severe damage has been done to the Japanese fleet and transports, but we do not know fully what losses may have been suffered by the Americans. At the moment of writing heavy operations are still in progress on land and sea and in the air, the American land forces having succeeded in beating off determined attacks on the ground. Not until a decision is reached can we expect to have detailed news.
