British Preparing For War On Japan

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1943, Page 5

British Preparing For War On Japan

(Special) AUCKLAND. This Day. ' The arrival of a British naval, military and air mission in Washington to dbc’vs future operations against Japan is the clearest indication that the United Kingdom is taking' measures for the day when big forces can be switched from the European theatre to the Far East, said Major-General R. H. Dewing, C. 8., D. 5.0., M(' leader of the British mission at present in New Zealand, when referring on Saturday to the visit of British experts to the United States. It was realised now that the time was approaching when these big forces could be moved. Major-General Dewing added. There was no prospect of a decision against, Japan until Allied forces could be concentrated in the Far East on a large scale. . . Bv the study and discussion ol missions such as that' which had gone to the United States, Britain would know what modifications in equipment and armament would be necessary for her formations in the Eastern theatre, he said. All that was happening in the Pacific at present would exercise a big influence on the time when large forces would be employed. Major-General Dewing said he anticipated a huge Allied air preponderance and also sea superiority. The land forces that could be employed would be limited by the land communication rather than bv the numbers available.