NEW PACIFIC STRATEGY

Grey River Argus, 3 April 1943, Page 5

NEW PACIFIC STRATEGY

RABAUL AIMED AT Growing Naval Might NEED OF MORE PLANES. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Rec. 9.35) WASHINGTON, April 1. The opinion of well-informed circles here is that the newly-planned Allied strategy in the Southern Pacific will be aimed primarily against the key Japanese base of RabanJ. Lt is believed that the capture of this base, even at heavy cost, .might break completely) the enemy hold on occupied territories in that sector. No indication has been given, however, of the plans formulated at the meeting of Pacific war staff's. Mr. Joseph Harsch, in “The Christian Science Monitor” says: “From what is known of the conversations it can be assumed that the principal considerations were, firstly, the fullest co-ordination of the three Pacific commands in the operations decided upon, and, secondly, the full exchange of information about the enemy’s condition, with cross-check-ing of estimates of his likely course of action. It is difficult, however, to envisage a future major move in the Pacific without heavy; reliance on air power, necessitating substantial increases in the planes allotted to the Pacific. But the Navy gets most of its planes from factories manufacturing exclusively for the Navy. Diversion from this source would hot. therefore, affect the European theatre. Further, enough new ships have joined the fleet to transfer American sea striking power. ■ Japan has some additional, but nothing comparable in numbers and quality with the new American ships. Thus the possibility increases daily of a new move in the. Pacific involving big ships whose function will be to weaken the Japanese naval power. Some such move may have been planned in the past two or three weeks. It is certain at least that all the Pacific commanders are now thoroughly informed about Casablanca and the broad objective of global strategy for 1943. For the first time since Pearl Harbour, each knows exactly what his expected role is, and how it dovetails into the whole plain.”

FORTHCOMING U.S. PLANS. RUGBY, April 1. Mr. Stimson said at Washington, to-day, that the American Army and Naw were preparing detailed plans for forthcoming operations against Japan. These plans were discussed in detail at the recent meeting of the Pacific military leaders, and now the joint Chiefs of Staff- were preparing specific orders. . Mr. Stimson added that there is evidence the Japanese have been augmenting their air powei in Burma, China, and the South-west i Pacific -

Labour Gangs Active JAPANESE WORK IN NORTH NEW GUINEA. (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 10.30) SYDNEY, April. 2. An almost complete lull occurred in the South-west Pacific air war on Thursday. General MacArthur s latest communique reports only minor Allied activity in all sectors, While the Japanese air force was completely inactive. There were no reports of any Japanese shipping activity. It is confirmed that Japanese labour units are working at top speed along the northern New Guinea coast building a chain of air strips w. bases linked by motor road. Ihe bases begin at Aitape, but major development is taking place at Wewak, which is rapidly becoming a second Rabaul. Allied airmen who have repeatedly attacked Wewak repor., encountering- an increasingly heavy anti-aircraft and searchlight barrage on each successive strip. South-east of Wewak the Japanese are developing a new airfield at Bogia, which is followed by older established bases at Madang, Saidor, Finschhafen, Malahang, Lae, and Salamaua. Hundreds of Japanese survivors from the obliterated Bismarck Sea convoy have been captured by Australian patrols on Goodenough and Trobriand Islands. Many enemy parties have drifted ashore along the two hundred miles of island coastline, and in. clashes with our watchful patrols more than a' hundred of the enemy have been killed. Allied air reconnaissance has kept a close check on these islands. When such reconnaissance showed that some Japanese had come ashore on an unguarded ■ island a special patrol was flown there to deal with them. The first group of Japanese survivors reached shore a few days after the Bismarck Sea convoy, and the last stragglers drifted to the beaches eleven da'vb later. Some had escaped in power barges which finally ran out of fuel and were carried ashore by the prevailing current. During, all the skirmishes the Japanese showed their usual distaste for capture, but t,he treatment they received when taken prisoner apparently altered their attitude. It is recorded thal one young Japanese repeatedly declared to his captors, “I don’t know why you Australians are so kind.”

Air Activity

MacARTHUR’S COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. 8.35.) SYDNEY, April 2. General MacArthur’s communique for to-day (Friday) states:— NORTH-WESTERN SECTOR. Dutch New Guinea —Kaimana: One of our medium bombers was intercepted by two enemy fighters which shot both out of action without sustaining damage. , « Tenembar Islands —Saumlaki: Our medium units bombed the enemy occupied town of Saumlaki. NORTH-EASTERN SECTOR. New Guinea—Finschhafen: One of our heavy units bombed the harbour area. « • . . . Mubo: An attack plane bombed and strafed the enemy position in the Kitchen Creek area from a low altitude, starting numerous fires; No hostile aircraft were encountered.