U.S. WAR OUTPUT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20858, 10 August 1942, Page 2

U.S. WAR OUTPUT

BELOW VICTORY NEEDS TOTAL WAR DRIVE URGED SURVEY OF EIGHT MONTHS (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 9. The Office of War Information, reviewing the United States operations during the first eight months of war, declared that American war production was still insufficient for victory. It issued a warning that America could lose the war unless everyone does his utmost. "It is certain that we are not going to win without heavy losses of men," it stated. The Office of War Information revealed that American production in June was slightly behind schedule in fighting planes and tanks, most types of artillery, and naval vessels, particularly small anti-submarine craft. ■'Although American production is amazing compared with standards of a few years past, it is not enough to win the war."

The Office of War Information emphasised that to win total war, America must fight it totally. “We are not yet fighting that hard.” it stated. In a review of the highlights,_ it stated: “First, .if the Axis inflicts crippling blows on our Allies in 1942, the war will be decided in some future year that is not now foreseen, and victory will be far more costly, secondly, the Allies have carried most of the load: w? have not giypn them as much help as V/e have led them to expect. thirdly, even u shipbuilding continues rising and the .vnkings decrease, it will be late in 1943 before we again, have as much merchant shipping as we had on December 7. 1941; fourthly, the initial disasters at Pearl Harbour and the Philippine airfields cost us plenty: fifthly, the victories in the Coral Sea and at Midway, while brilliant, were defensive victories; sixthly, the American military forces are disposed where the military commanders -believed they will get the maximum results. “When we cannot be strong and hit hard everywhere, we must hit _ hard where it counts, even at the price of leaving other areas inactive. Popular pressure for action on a specific front does not serve a useful purpose.”