ROAD TO TOKIO

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21261, 25 November 1943, Page 3

ROAD TO TOKIO

GILBERTS SECURED AMERICAN DRIVE

SEA BATTLE LIKELY

U.S. NAVAL LOSS DENIED

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (10 p.m.) PEARL HARBOUR. Nov. 24.

“The invasion of the Gilbert Islands is another road to Tokio. In due time we will have enough equipment and material to travel all roads. I am sure we will not neglect any approach but I believe that Japan will eventually be defeated from China.” Admiral C. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet, said this to-day in his first press conference since January. He added that he doubted whether Japan could hold out at the present rate until 1949.

“We may expect a major naval action in the Pacific,” he said. “The Japanese Fleet may accept engagement and, as long as its main units are intact, it behoves us to maintain strength to ensure that the engagement will be favourable. Therefore, we must not disperse our fleet, thus permitting the Japanese to concentrate on any unit which is weaker than the main enemy fleet which is scattered from the Kuriles through the Japanese home waters to the Philippines. Netherland East Indies, mandated islands and the Solomons.” American Plans Secret Admiral Nimitz expressed the opinion that the Japanese did hot have advance information of American naval operations in the central Pacific. The Gilbei'ts were securely in American hands. The immediate future would be devoted to consolidation and in preparing for further attacks.

He did not know whether the Japanese in the Gilberts were fighting to the end or surrendering, but so far few prisoners had been taken. Enemy casualties were heavy while American casualties were very light on Makin and heavier on Tarawa. They expected the Japanese to take greater measures to defend Tarawa on which there is an excellent airfield. Asked: “Where to from the Gilberts?” Admiral Nimitz replied: “Wherever the Japanese are.” Commenting on Tokio claims of the sinkings of American warships in the Solomons and central Pacific, Admiral Nimitz said that the could not understand them but he could state that the claims were categorically untrue up to the present. He anticipated strong Japanese air and submarine reaction as rapidly as they could move forces to the central Pacific. Toll of Japanese Ships

“We are not immune from attacks, but are prepared to meet them,” said Admiral Nimitz. “Our own submarines, which, ‘like little liver pills are working while you sleep,’ are taking a heavy toll of the enemy’s shipping. Indeed, I would be very unhappy if we were losing merchantmen at the rate of the Japanese losses.” A spokesman revealed that U.S. Army Liberator bombers on Monday struck against Ocean Island, westward of the Gilberts, where heavy and accurate “ack-ack” fire was encountered. Carrier planes attacked Mille atoll in the Marshalls. ■

The New York Times’ correspondent in Washington says that observers believe the success of the landings in the Gilberts will lead to further attacks in the Marshalls, thence the Carolines and Mariana, including the former United States base of Guam. However he doubted whether an early attempt would be made to retake Wake Island.