WILL FIJI BE ATTACKED?

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1942, Page 5

WILL FIJI BE ATTACKED?

Grave Pacific Situation

[British Official Wireless] RUGBY, March 11.

Naval observers in London say that possible alternative Japanese moves are an offensive against Darwin or a campaign further east towards Fiji. Now that the loss of Java, with the important naval base of Surabaya, complete the capture by the Japanese of an offensive barrier stretching from Malaya to New Guinea, there can be no advantage in minimising the grave situation m the Pacific. Although the Japanese main fleet has suffered losses, its strength is not greatlv impaired, and in spite of expanding supply lines the present air and sea supremacy of the Japanese will permit them to extend their activities in any direction 'they may choose. Naval observers in Britain point out that the verv gallant resistance of General MacArthur in the Philippines is of great assistance as a delaying action. At the same time, the denial .of bases in the area from S nganore to New Guinea makes the development of counter-offensive measures bv the Allies much more difficult. The value of Rangoon has lain principally in its position as a port for sea-borne supplies and reinforcements to p’urma itself and die Burma Road for the operations of the Chinese Army. Exports through the port has also been considerable and very useful for the war effort. The fact that the port was immobilised before th e British withdrawal will make it' of less use to the Japanese, especially since its value as a naval base is not great, as it is approached by a very tortuous channel extending for 20 miles, with exceptionally strong tides. This channel couia also be mined. 1

Bv these losses the Indian Ocean has now become uncovered and the Japanese forces may be likely to a 1 tack trade and transport routes c.s far as Cevlon.