JAP AIR STRENGTH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 290, 7 December 1944, Page 5

JAP AIR STRENGTH

IMPROVED PLANES Amphibious Strategy For Defeat; Of Enemy In East Rec. 11 a.m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. Japan's land aviation is now stronger and more efficient than at any time previously. Therefore, increasingly strong opposition to American advances can be expected, said the Navy Secretary, Mr. James V. Forrestal, addressing a Press conference to-day. Recalling damage incurred in naval engagements near Leyte, Mr. Forrestal said that enemy aerial opposition there was the stiffest yet met.

"The nearer we approach Japan," he added, "the stift'er will be the resistance, especially from Army planes. Japanese planes are getting better. Years ago we had a great technical advantage. Now it is very slender. So far the Japanese have used only a few of their newer improved planes. There is good reason to believe that they are holding a large stock of these "new Army planes in reserve on the Japanese mainland."

The Allies will strike directly at Japan without landing in China, says Hanson Baldwin, the military writer of the New York Times. He adds: "Apparently the Allies are bypassing China and substituting amphibious strategy for continentalstrategy. Such a direct routs; promises a more rapid decision than could be gained by prior lar.ding in. China."