U.S. TROOPS ARRIVE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23589, 17 March 1942, Page 5

U.S. TROOPS ARRIVE

Help Reaching Australia FIGHTER PLANES RECEIVED (Received March 17, 1.30 a.m.) (U.P.A.I WASHINGTON. March 15. Relative optimism prevailing: in Washington regarding the Pacific situation is based on two factors—the arrival of American troops in Australia, and the supply of American fighter aircraft there. It is admitted that the American troops in Australia probably number only a few thousand, but they are the vanguard of a great expeditionary force being sent to Australia. Apart from the moral weight of visible American support to the threatened Australians, it is understood that the American soldiers there include the best-trained and best-equipped troops of the entire United States Army. More important as an immediate factor in the military situation is the arrival of American fighter aeroplanes in Australia. If they are present in sufficient force to protect the Flying Fortress bombers’ operations, the outcome of the battle for Australia should bo far different than of that for Java, where the Flying Fortresses were not protected by fighters and were forced to withdraw. Furthermore, although Allied naval inferiority is now more marked than ever, some American naval units are still operating off Australia. In addition, the role of American submarines operating in the Pacific area is becoming very important. Washington is keenly aware (hat the forthcoming battle will be grim, but the authorities recognise that the retention of Australia is vital to Allied military strategy from both the offensive and defensive points of view, for. as Mr Curtin pointed out in his speech to America, if Australia falls, the west coast of America will be the next Japanese invasion target. "The How of lense-lend equipment will become a mighty river. It will be sufficient to help Australia to protect its great continent," said Mr W. S. Wasscrman, head of the United Stales Icasc-lend mission to Australia, in Canberra. , A survey of Australia’s requirements in this respect was begun to-day,' when Mr Wasscrman conferred with the Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin) and the Minister for Customs (Senator R. V. Keane). Interviewed, Mr Wasserman said the United States looked upon Australians as the closest of I friends, and fell more strongly about helping Australia than any other country, with the possible exception of Canada. , . Mr Wasscrman is to be appointed to the Allied Supply Council in Australia, which was set up in February to handle all supply problems m Australia.