BRITISH PLANS

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1945, Page 5

BRITISH PLANS

FOR PACIFIC CAMPAIGN. NO SUDDEN TRANSITION. (Rec. 8.455). SYDNEY, March 19. A warning against expectations of an over-night transfer of huge masses of men and of equipment from Europe to the Pacific immediately after Germany collapsed, given to-day by Major-General k. P. Pakenham Walsh, who is the Controller-General of Army Provisions of the South-East Asia Command. “Britain”, he said, “will prosecute war against Japan to the utmost of her ability, but the shipping problems alone will make the concentration of her might a gradual process. It is necessary that those parts of th e Empire wherein the troops will be quartered, and trained, for Pacific offensives, should maintain., their production to the last minute at the highest level.” General Parkenham Walsh has come to Australia as the head of the Central Provision Office of the Eastern Army Group, whicli covers all. of the areas east of Cairo (including New His object is to arrange a reciprocal basis for the supply of Army stores, except foodstuffs and petrol.

Transfer to Pacific U.S. FORCE IN EUROPE. (Rec. 11.10.) NEW YORK, March 19. The Washington correspondent of the Boston “Christian Science Monitor” said: It is becoming increasingly clear that a 1 quick and decisive stepping up of the war against Japan cannot follow the defeat of. Germany. Military quarters estimate it will take from four to six months to transfer military power from the Western Front. The U.S. War Department would prefer to transfer men direct, from Europe, but it will not be practicable. The United States forces > will have, first, to be shipped to America. Some will cross the Continent by rail. Others will go through the Panama Canal. Demobilisation questions, will also arise. The War Department is at present striving to work out a fair scheme for partial demobilisation. This means that most of the divisions now fighting in Europe must be reorganised and regrouped.