Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1944. PACIFIC VICTORIES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 October 1944, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1944. PACIFIC VICTORIES.

KN a multitude of reports there is con- * fusion, and although there have been many descriptions and estimates of the Battle of the Philippines Sea, it is not yet clear how much the Japanese suffered, and whether the enemy navy is now a negligible quantity. It is certain, however, that the Japanese were given hard blows, and that the vaunted superiority of the Japanese Navy proved mythical. Once again, there was little or no direct en-

gagements between major surface ships, and perhaps this type of naval engagement will become rare. Carrier-based planes did most of the damage to the Japanese, whose land-based planes did not come up to expectations. The Japanese strategy would have been ranked as masterly-and daring had success been achieved, but the Americans acted quickly and scored a spectacular victory which must have important consequences. Admiral Nimitz and all serving under him deserve the fullest congratulations. On land, General MacArthur’s forces are invading the Philippines with marked progress, and if the remainder of the task of liberation is completed similarly, the end of the war with Japan will be hastened. However, authoritative warnings come that the final triumph is not in sight. General Blarney gives an opportune reminder that by-passing enemy-manned bases is but delaying the task of conquering them, and that meanwhile, the Japanese are “digging in” with strength, and may prove difficult to eject or kill. Months ago, a huge force of Japanese were reported trapped in the Wewak area of New Guinea, and it was said that their death or capture was inevitable. Since then, little has been heard about this trapped force, or any U.S.A.-Australian efforts to overcome it. Presumably, the enemy is strongly entrenched, and direct assault would be costly and not yet warranted. “Starving them out” is better —if the enemy is willing to be thus vanquished. Is he?

It. would be a poor heart that dwelt on the difficulties and ignored the American triumphs. Summed-up, the situation in the whole Pacific area is most gratifying and confidence is justified that there will be maintained improvement. More should be heard soon of the British Fleet’s supplementary efforts and between them, the Anglo-U.S.A. naval and aerial forces should be able to avenge Pearl Harbour, Singapore and other unhappy memories. With the monsoon season ending in Burma, it is reasonable to expect the liberation of that country in the coming campaign, and this will bring some relief to the Chinese, and open another avenue against the Japanese armies. In China, itself, there is little that is satisfactory, resistance to the Japanese drives being indifferent of late. The i ecall of General Stilwell and the reports of his disputes with Chiang Kai-shek and others did not make pleasant reading. This disunity possibly accounts for the lack of progress in China, against the enemy. The censorship is so rigid about happenings in India, Burma, and district that the publicity available prevents friend and foe knowing exactly what is the position, but the continuous stream of reinforcements should enable “the situation to be under control,” the customary military comment when the worst is over for the time being. New Zealand's direct interest in the Pacific campaign will probably increase, and it is comforting to realise that the Japanese will be on the defensive from now on.