ROLE OF A.I.F.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21582, 8 December 1944, Page 6

ROLE OF A.I.F.

MACARTHUR’S forces ’i:- A SPECULATioN RIFE mk . . SR@QPS “READY TO GO” "-*{Wy’ : Telegraph— Press Assn—Copyright.) r NEW YORK, Dec. 6. >•-Australian. Commander-in-CJbief i Sir Thomas Blarney, alter con-fdj-tfhg with General MacArthur; at the Matter’s headquarters in the Philippines, .told the press that the Australian forces would definitely be used the current campaigns in the west ■ A'-Gfeneral Blanley pointed out that the Campaign plans involving the use of the * Australians imposed an immense shipping which must be solved'in due relation to the needs of the European theatre. He declared that iT-iwas; incorrect to speak of mopping'uftTttie thousands of Japanese bypasspd in the northwards advance and added that these Japanese were well contained. While they were not in a position to influence the progress of the war, they constituted a problem fo* the 'future. , 4 The tlnited Press correspondent on Leyte quotes General Blarney as saying:. “Australia’s tough combat troops will be used. in-this present, campaign. The correspondent says- it is believed that the Australians are ear-rnarkeci to participate in the reconquest of the Netherlands East .indies or seven a landing in Formosa or on the south China,coast. : . , , . Other correspondents interpreted Gerierdl Blarney’s statement as meaning/thbtthe. Australians, would join in the Phihppines campaign. . . TTh^hfeSt.information is from General Blainfeju himself.. He said: "I am unable to say when and where they '■Winshe' used. . ' They have been assisted /to General MacArthur s Corabeing disposed by him. ided that the Australian fighting liSnS' are trained to the minUue lltiftjy to go. No political probif§f& involved in their participsisf£rhere is no distinction between mt I:F. and the A.M.F. because .practically the whole of the Australian -Satiny ; is, now. volunteer. ■ A'correspondent says Timor, Borneo : 'and‘- ; Cclphes are islands which the X'AhStiSUahs ipi.ght take while the ■ -Americans move in on Japan from the '.east" ' and Admiral Mountbatten ? move from the west. It is be--rlieved here "that the American Com’jhaiid' does not foresee the use of the -Australians in the Philippines unless .■th'fi: campaign proves tougher than -now-threatened and major reinforce■mefats above-tbose planned are needed.