SEA AND AIR MASTERY

Grey River Argus, 31 October 1942, Page 5

SEA AND AIR MASTERY

IN THE PACIFIC

Will be with America EARLY NEXT YEAR [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 11.32) NEW YORK, Oct. 29. Mr Hanson Baldwin, the war correspondent of the “New York Times” says: Until American naval superiority has been established, a further Allied offensive in the Solomons Islands is not likely, and the defence of Guadalcanal’ Island is imperilled. Japan started the war with a clearcut numerical, superiority in warships in lhe Pacific, and in spite of her losses in the Coral Sea, and the Midway Island battles, Japan still holds a suner’.ority in aircraft carriers. Japan is at least equal to our Pacific fleet in battleships, in cruisers and in destroyers, and perhaps also in submarines. “Japan’s aircraft-carrier strength 1 has considerably been reduced, but she still musters a minimum of five and a maximum of nine carriers. In addition she has from twelve to fourteen battleships, and from 20 to 30 cruisers. “Japan’s Pacific superiority is being slowly whittled down by losses, and a growing output from American shipyards has replaced out-dated carriers by new vessels. They have also built the new battleships "North Carolina”, and “Washington.” "F'our vessels of 35,000 tons of the “South Dakota” class, with a speed of 27 knots, and with nine 16-inch guns, either have already been commissioned or will be commissionable this year. “Furthermore a new type of antiaircraft cruisers is being commissioned. Scores of submarines of the greatest, radius are under construction. ...

“The prospects of growing American air 'superiority are even- more favourable. Japan’s reserves of planes and of' pilots are limited. Therefore, the continuitv of her air effort is impaired. . Informed people estimate that the capacity of Japanese aircraft production is 800 planes per month, with a maximum capacity of 1200 planes a month. Of these 900 would be combat aircraft. On the other hand American aircrart production is 6000 monthly and it is still mounting. Tn t.ne first months of 1943, Japan should begin to feel the weight of numbers in the air and on the sea.”