ISLAND STRUGGLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 170, 30 April 1943, Page 3

ISLAND STRUGGLE.

OPPOSING FORCES IN PACIFIC.

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BASES.

LONDON, April 29

A network of military and aviation trails and strongpoints is being steadily created by the United States across the Pacific, which is being turned into an ocean of fortresses against Japan. Japan, on her side, is equally busy, and Walter Farr, of the “Daily Mail.,” who has just completed a tour of American bases, says: “Ever-grow-ing forces of American and Japanese are preparing for a show-down behind a veil of military secrecy.” Farr, who flow from island to island, tells bow coral reefs have been transformed by flying squads of American technicians into air bases. He points out that the operations are of great significance, first because they mark an important phase in the Pacific battle, and second, because they wTH revolutionise post-war air travel. The area has been developed more in one year of war than in a century of peace. “One could call it the Battle of 3000 Islands,” says Farr, “for there are at least that number in the operations zone. The process of land, air, and sea fortifications is developing with increasing tempo. On their side of the line the Japanese are burrowing and scooping into coral and volcanic, rock, fortifying every usefully-situated atoll, .and bringing up large numbers of weapons, especially bombers. On their side of the line the Americans are making counter-moves.

“The public has got the idea from recent communiques that tlie Papific war is meandering along with an occasional air raid, hut there is no meandering in this ‘mystery zone,’ where eaeli side prepares for decisive battles.”

Farr says a ferocious combat may come with the speed of a tropical storm. “This is the most astounding of all fronts,” he adds. “Developments here will change the world beyond the imagination of most of us. Australia and New Zealand will come into their own. I would not be surprised to see a tremendous post-war boom in these countries.”