ATTACK ON JAPAN

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1944, Page 5

ATTACK ON JAPAN

NEW ALLIED PLANS May Coincide with Second Front (Rec. 9.30) NEW YORK, May 18. A “New York Times'’ correspondent at a' South-west Pacific Headquarters, says: it :s understood that Allied armies, navies and a.r forces are now thinking in terms of getting into position to attack Japan proper in the shortest possible time. Plans have been worked .out whereby British and American forces could closely co-operate in a drive against the heart of tne Japanese Empire by employing a razzle dazzle of unexpected raids and landings, as well as air power, in an attempt to sap or paralyse the strength of Japanese derences. New bases established only a few months ago are ready to support movements of masses of troops, fleets, ano landbased planes. The Japanese are obviously basing their nopes on the extended Allied supply lines. The Japanese may soon, be surprised to lino the Allied lines will actually shorten when they get closer to the Japanese home base than they are now. There is n strong indication that hammer blows at widely separated points in the Pacific will coincide with .the opening of a second front, as the Allies are now strong enough to undertake major offensives in the Pacific and Atlantic simultaneously (Rec. 9.55) WASHINGTON, May 18. The S'enate has confirmed the appointment of Mr. Forrestal as Secretary to the Navy. Mr. Forrestal told a press conference that there was ample proof of the enemy being in a i weakened position in the mandate island area. The constant American aerial attacks there were meeting little surface opposition and practically no aerial opposition. However, he said, the enemy is now attempting to strengthen his position in the Caroline Islands by ha'stily constructing airfields. He said the American Fleet was now able to operate as far as 1500 miles inside the so-called Japanese defence perimeter, which constituted a defence line in name only. The executors of the late Frank Knox, ex Navy Secretary have estimated his estate at two million dollars.