Bigger Blows Expected

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 210, 4 September 1943, Page 5

Bigger Blows Expected

Received Friday, 11 p.m. NEW YORK, Sept. 3. Observers expect a new blow along Japan’s outer defence perimeter to follow the Marcus Island attack, says the New York Times Pearl Harbour correspondent. It is assumed th 9 new American strength in carriers and battleships is sufficient to make a major clash against the Japanese fleet welcome and profitable, especially since Admiral Nimitz is in a position to choose the time and place for the battle. The raid on Marcus Island was of great potential value. The destruction of its three known runways would remove a vital link in Japan’s supply line to the mandated islands and the Marshall and Gilbert groups, at a time when Japanese bases in the Central Pacific areas are under a dire threat. Marcus Island iB also the first step from Japan to Truk and the possibilities of attacking the nearer approaches to Truk and eventually striking at the Marshalls and Gilberts, is well recognised. In the first official comment, ViceAdmiral McCain, deputy chief of navai operations for the air, declared that the raid was only a token. ‘ ‘ Such blows will increase in tempo, power and fury until finally, in a continuous attack, we will lay wa%te in blood and ashes the Japanese home islands,” the admiral asserted. “The success of the present offensive is based on realistic conceptions of how we are going to defeat Tojo’s forces,” he added. “Our surface and air powers are being coordinated at 3uch strength that we will eventually sink the major part of Japan’s fleet. We are going to knock every Japanese fighter and bomber out of the air. A big factor in the conquest of Japan will be the carrier. To-day our carrier plane strength is double that *•. the beginning of the war. This includes planes based on small escort carriers as well as large combat types of which 11 new ones have been launched.