GUADALCANAL—PACIFIC HINGE-PIN RILE Events Moved Towards a Clash at the Southern End of the Key Island Chain, Similar Moves At
CHAPTER 5 GUADALCANAL—PACIFIC HINGE-PIN RILE events moved towards a clash at the southern end of the key W island chain, similar moves at the northern end—in the Bismarc k Archipelago and New Guinea—laid the future 's foundations there. The Japanese stronghold at Rabaul, with the subsidiary bases at Lae, Salamaua , Gasmata, Kavieng, Finschhafen, Buka, Faisi, Lorengau and Kieta, were a constant and growing threat to Allied communications and to Australia's northern defences . At this period Rabaul, headquarters of 8th Base Force , which was responsible for the defence of the area, was the only majo r Japanese command of land-based air forces maintaining heavy and con- tinuous air action against the enemy . Here the 25th Air Flotilla, under the command of Rear-Admiral Yamada, concentrated its full strength agains t Port Moresby in frequent attacks, usually with heavy formations of 27 o r more bombers escorted by an equal number of Zero fighters .' The expansion of existing Allied aerodrome facilities was considere d the best method of countering this threat . To an extent the Japanese were at a disadvantage in that Truk, their nearest base to Rabaul, was sea - separated from them by some 700 miles, and their home bases were mor e than three times that distance away . All supplies and reinforcements , including fighter aircraft, were of necessity seaborne, and replacement s took from two to three weeks . Australia could reinforce New Guinea more rapidly, and her seaborne communications (Townsville to Milne Bay o r Moresby approximately 600 miles) could be under good air protectio n after the provision of suitable airfields .
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