THE IMPORTANCE OF FORMOSA

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 22, 20 October 1944, Page 4

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORMOSA

Concentrated heavy attacks by United States naval and air forces on the Japanese territory of Formosa have brought this island into prominence. Formosa, in the South China Sea, lies due east of Hong Kong, and in a direct line between the southernmost point of Japan proper and Singapore. It is therefore a vital point on. the main sea supply line between Japan and her forces in the occupied territories of Indo-China; Malaya, the Philippines, and the Dutch East. Indies. The island came into possession of Japan in 1895, much against.the will of its inhabitants. The existence of a lingering animosity right up to the outbreak of the war in the Pacific raised a question at that time as to the extent that the Japanese could depend upon the loyalty of the Formosans. In the circumstances, the Formosans obviously had no choice in the matter. The Japanese proceeded to convert its entire resources and facilities to war purposes, and its three excellent ports, served by a railway system throughout the island, as war bases. Formosa (Taiwan in Japanese nomenclature), is a very large island of 13,429 square miles, 225 miles long, and varying from 60 to 80 miles in breadth. The Strait of Formosa, separating it from the Chinese mainland, is 90 miles wide. The island is at once a strength and a weakness to Japan. Strategically it is of great value as a base for operations against southern China and the East Indies. Its weakness lies in the. fact that it offers excellent scope for the activities of Allied submarines operating in the Strait of Formosa and other adjacent waters where Japanese supply ships can, and have been, intercepted and attacked. In fact, the enemy has lost so many ships in this area from these operations that transport routes have had frequently to be changed. To this underwater threat has now been added the direct menace of Allied air and surface warship attacks, as shown in recent news. It is obvious from the foregoing description that the destruction of the enemy bases, air fields, and port facilities would be a serious matteUfor the Japanese High Command. The loss of the island might well be disastrous to the enemy, for occupation by the Allies, would bring them virtually to Japan’s doorstep, in addition to severing her main line of sea communication with her forces in the south. The present heavy attacks on Formosa have been preceded' for months past by intermittent air raids which led the Japanese High Command some time ago to strengthen the defences in anticipation, so it was reported from Tokio, of an Allied invasion attack. This anticipation, it may be imagined, will no doubt be keyed up to higher tension by the latest destructive attacks on the island.