FAILURE OF JAPAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 73, 23 February 1945, Page 5

FAILURE OF JAPAN

UNABLE TO WAGE WAR ENEMY WITHOUT CORE (N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, Eeb. 22 “Japan seems to have lost the power to wage modern war,” declares the Manchester Guardian in a leader. “No one can be sur-

prised at tho landings on Iwo Jima alter Japan’s utter failure to inflict real damage on the large carrier fleet that had been attacking her mainland.

“No counter-movement of the Japanese fleet has been reported even though if it had gone out to meet the vulnerable carriers it would have had a land-based air force to cover it. It looks as though the question about whether Japan has a hard core is already decided.” The Guardian sees Iwo Jima as a base nearer for the bombing of Japan and from which land-based fighters will soon be able to intervene in any sea action that might be fought south of the main island. They will also bo able to break up interceptor bases on the Bonins from which there has been some interference with Fortresses flying to Tokio from Saipan.

EFFECT OF BRITISH FLEET. The Daily Telegraph naval correspondent expresses the opinion that it is most unlikely that any part of the British Pacific Elect is operating with the American forces at-

tacking Iwo Jima and the Tokio area, but says that, at the same time, there is no doubt that the existence of the British Pacific Fleet has had a great effect on the strategy of Admiral Nimitz and General MacArtliur. It adds that it seems certain that the northerly . swing of these two American offensives could not have been contemplated with equanimity had there not been available a strong force to cover their southern flanks. The naval correspondent of the Times expresses the opinion that the American assault on the heart of Japan has begun much sooner than, appeared at all possible at the time, now nearly three years ago, when the Japanese tide of conquest was at its height. It lias become possible, he says, through the strategy adopted by both Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur of by-passing Japanese island strongholds, once they are effectively- isolated, and moving on to secure more effective footholds for the next attack, thereby economising in both time and resources —human as well as material. This in turn has been made possible by the Americans having effectively secured command of the sea in the full sense and being able to make almost undisturbed use. of it themselves and deny- its use to the enemy. Thus they have been able to make an amphibious descent on any desired enemy territory while Japanese by-passed garrisons have _ not been a threat to their communications. Referring to the isolated Japanese forces he says there seems to be a growing army grievance against the Japanese navy that 250,000 Japanese troops should have been left without support to starve in remote and useless fortresses.