STILL OBSCURE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 59, 10 March 1945, Page 6

STILL OBSCURE

BRITISH NAVY'S ROLE

American Naval Men Favour Lone Action N.Z. Press Association —Copyright Rec. 1.30. NEW YORK, March 9. Although the British Fleet's role against Japan has not yet been disclosed, it is known, says the Associated Press Guam correspondent, that a large part is ready for action. The fleet is a self-contained unit, prepared to fight as a separate task force under Admiral Nimitz, Naval Commander-in-Chief in the Pacific, with a full complement of carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers and its own service of supply ships. The New York Post Washington correspondent says that Admiral Nimitz was evasive on questions relating to Britain's participation in the naval war against Japan. The fact is, he adds, that American naval commanders in the Pacific have resisted Britain's efforts to enter the fight there. America has a lot or fast last-minute ships to hurl against Japan, and U.S. naval men think they can do the job better alone without being slowed down by what is left of the British Flee.. The Navy's position is that it* Britain wants to get m ?n the kill it should operate independently, says the correspondent. The result IS that the British who want to participate in the Pacific war are actually being crowded out, because the U.S. Navy feels that they are more trouble than they are worth.