NAVAL MANOEUVRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 151, 7 April 1933, Page 5

NAVAL MANOEUVRES.

AMERICANS IN THE PACIFIC. SAN FRANCISCO, February 20. The great American naval manoeuvres in the Pacific ended to-day. For a week practically the whole of the Pacific and Atlantic fleets have been engaged with the problem of an attack by “an enemy unknown.” Two hundred and twelve ships, 23G aeroplanes, and 39,000 officers and men took part. The development of the idea involved much activity among the islands of the Pacific, including those for which Japan holds a mandate. The operations concluded with a great spectacular air raid by the “enemy” on the naval bases in Puget Sound, California . Vice-Admiral F. Clark was in command of. the “Black” fleet. His object was to capture Hawaii and thence launch a thrust at the mainland. Admiral L. McNamee commanded the defending force. Admiral Mahan was umpire. The “Black” strength lay chiefly jii the air. but apparently the attempt to land in Hawaii failed. Doubt is expressed whether the enemy’s air raiders, protected only by cruisers, were sufficiently' strong to demolish San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Pedro. It is questioned, moreover, whether aeroplane carriers, even presuming the capture of Hawaii as a base, could steam 2100 miles and successfully tackle a strong battle force defending California. Naval and military men, in commenting on the manoeuvres, find reasons, however, for strengthening the American forces on land and sea, and for improving the bases in the Pacific.