Allies in Battle Array For Move in East

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 221, 17 September 1943, Page 5

Allies in Battle Array For Move in East

CAMPAIGN SEASON ABOUT TO BEGIN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 15. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Peirse, commanding the air forces in India, speaking to-day at Delhi, India, of the coming campaign against Japan, said: “We stand in battle array. We are now waiting for the enemy—we are ready to go out to find him.” Sir Richard continued: “We have built aerodromes in the north, south, east and west, with great arrangements for training, maintenance, repairs, and meteorology. “Our campaigning season is about to begin so let us go to it! ” Sir Richard said. “A journey across India to China convinces the most critical observer of the general high quality of tho men and machines America is gathering for the approaching show-down against Japan,” says an Associated Press correspondent. “Everywhere 1 found a tense air of expectancy among the officers and men that an Allied blow will be struck within three months—perhaps not the main event, but at least an important preliminary.” The correspondent continues:

“Most speculation is pivoted on Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten’s role, the clarification of which is expected soon after* his visit to Chungking. Optimism in Chungking is growing. Observers who recently thought the war against Japan would be a long drawn-out conflict now admit the possibility of a short term war.”