OFFENSIVE AGAINST JAPAN

Evening Star, Issue 24138, 7 March 1942, Page 7

OFFENSIVE AGAINST JAPAN

LAND AND AIR ATTACK FROM CHINA NEW STRATEGY BY ALLIES WASHINGTON, .March 5. President Roosevelt held a threehour conference with representatives ol the British and American Stall' Councils, including the Secretary of War, Mr Henry 1.. btimsou, the Chief of the .Army Staff, General George G. Marshall", Chief of the Army Air Forces, .Major-general Henry' A. Arnold, the Commander-in-Chicf of the Navy, Rearadmiral J. T. King, the Chief of the Naval Stall, Rear-Admiral H. R. Stark, and the following British representatives:—Mr Churchill's personal liaison officer, Field-Marshal Sir John Dill, Chief of the Navy Personnel, Admiral Sir Charles Little, Air Vice-marshal D. C, S. Kvill, the Adjutant-general to the Forces, Lieutenant-general Sir Colville Wemyss, and Commander Coleridge. The ‘ Now York Times ’ says the President called the conference in order to devise new strategy necessitated by the fear that Japan would attack Ausralia and India. Netherland officials in Washington point out that an additional 100 planes from the Allies would have turned the tide in the Netherlands Fast Indies battle. They add that shipments of aircraft from America to the Far Fast have been ample in the past few days, but were very unsatisfactory earlier. They further point out that only the unsatisfactory supply of planes from the Allies have prevented China from launching an attack against Japan. The ‘ Herald-Tribune ’ also states that President Roosevelt’s conference was of major importance, and says that the measures discussed give cause to expect an early land offensive and air attack against Japan from China. The ‘ Herald-Tribune ’ interprets the statement made by the Lieutenant Go-vernor-General of the Netherlands East Indies, Dr Van Mook, that an “ attack can be expected from another side,” as meaning that the Chinese Army is receiving substantia] aid in view of establishing a crushing offensive against Japan by the combined Chinese, British, and American forces. HINDERED BY WEATHER R.A.F. OFFENSIVE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 5. A survey of official communiques discloses that there was somewhat less air activity against the enemy during February than in January. Operations were can-ied out by the Bomber Command on 16 out of 28 nights, while the 11.A.F. as a whole carried out offensive operations on 17 days and 16 nights. The very bad weather was responsible for this reduction. There was a similar reduction in enemy raids on Britain during February. The enemy made small attacks on nine nights, while during the day some activity was reported on 10 occasions. The main target for R.A.F. bombers was Kiel) which WaV attacked on three nights in succession, and Mannheim, which had two attacks. In enemy-oc-cupied territory 10 attacks were carried out against five targets. The objectives were harbours and port facilities used by enemy ships. Of the attacks carried out Havre and Ostend were visited on three occasions, and two attacks were made on Brest. One of the attacks against Ostend was carried out in daylight by, Blenheims with a fighter escort. The R.A.F. during February destroyed 35 enemy aircraft, 31 by day and! four by night. The attacks by the R.A.F. cost them 79 ■ aircraft, 60 by day and 19 by night. Included in the R.A.E. losses are the 36 aircraft lost during the attack in the Channel on tho three German warships which escaped from Brest. In the Middle East the R.A.F. destroyed 67 enemy aircraft and lost 79. TALKS CONCLUDED AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE (Rec. 10 a.m.) CANBERRA, March 7. The consultations between representatives of the Australian and New Zealand Governments were concluded at Canberra to-day. Mr Curtin issued a statement that be was greatly impressed by the strength of the delegations, and was convinced that the discussions had been of great advantage. Both dominions could feel assured that they were one people with one interest in what was a common problem. Mr Sullivan said ho would return to New Zealand completely satisfied with tho talks, adding; “There has been absolute unanimity of opinion in matters of strategy and supply. I am definitely happy about tho outcome of the talks, which were the most important that had ever taken place between the sister dominions.” GENERAL WAVELL KOW MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LONDON, March 7. General Sir Archibald Wavell has been appointed a member of the Executive Council of the Governor-Gene-ral of India. GERMAN DEFENCE LINE NORTHERN COAST OF FRANCE LONDON, March 5. The Berlin radio reports that a new defence line, described as being like the Siegfried line, is being built on the northern coast of France. Already 135 miles have been completed with concrete emplacements and bomb-proof blockhouses. It is claimed that tho line is proof against possible attack from parachute troops. MEN! Here is the shaving preparation vou’ve been 'coking for—SHARLAND’S BENZOIN AND ALMOND LOTION. Keeps the skin soft and healthy. Heals cuts and rashes. Sharlaud's, Wholesale Distributors,