Curtin Tells Inside Story Of Pacific War

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1944, Page 7

Curtin Tells Inside Story Of Pacific War

WASHINGTON. April 25

In a formal statement to the American peopie. Prime Minister (Mr. Curtin) made the following points: (1) In no campaign of the war has there been such an unbroken run of successes at so little cost as in New Guinea, where the Japanese have not had the initiative since the Allied offensive began in September, 1942. General MacArthur fuliy exploited a 3000-mile front from Sourabaya to Bougainville. The Japanese, it is estimated, lost 100,000 to 115,000 men, 140 to 170 warships, 200 to 270 merchantmen and 5000 to 6000 aircraft. (2) General MacArthur’s position could have been one of delicacy fraught with a possibility of trouble End difficulty if discretion and diplomacy had not been employed on both sides.

(3) Australian Lend-Lease expenditure for the current year will reach 320.000.000 dollars. Gratitude for Deliverance

Mr. Curtin said: “The Australian ' people have emerged from a mortal : peril, thanks to a merciful Providence, the aid of great Allies and their own heroic efforts. The purpose of my visit to the United States is to center with the President. I am returning for a longer stay on my way home from London. My pre-eminent duty as head of the Australian Government, is to express to the Government and people of the United States the profound gratitude of the Australian people for the assistance rendered them. It is my fervent hope that the afflictions of this war will create a closer relationship between Australian and American peoples, and between the people of the world at larger’ Australia’s War Effort Mr. Curtin then gave a picture of Australia’s war effort. He said: “When Australia entered with Britain into the war .'o September, 1939, it concentrated on the maximum contributions it could make to the fighting f run Is overseas. Ships of the small Royal Australian Navy served on the Seven Seas. Land forces to a total of 122.000 fought in North Africa, Gr-ecce. Crete and Syria, and under the Empire Air Scheme more than 20,000 Australian personnel were sent abroad to fly over enemy territory." Australia’s Terrible Plight After reviewing early Japanese successes and developments which made necessary the recall of the A.1.F., Mr. Curtin said: “With Singapore lost, Australian defences were inadequate to defend Australia as the main base against an enemy with command of sea and air. The small Australian naval forces were divided between the Abda and Anzac areas. Militia forces were only partly trained and very short of modern equipment. We lacked air support, possessing no fighters whatever, and only about 50 bomber and reconnaissance planes. No country faced greater danger with less resources than Australia. New Zealand’s Vital Lead The New Zealand Government, in March, 1942. proposed the establishment of a Pacific War Council and the appointment of an American supreme commander in the South-West Pacific area. Both suggestions were adopted." Mr. Curtin then reviewed at length strategical operations beginning with the Coral Sea battle and continuing cn until early this year, quoting the figures of Japanese losses given above. Tribute to MacArthur In a tribute to General MacArthur, Mr. Curtin said: “His position could be one of delicacy fraught with possibilities of trouble and difficulty if tact, discretion and diplomacy had not been , employed by both sides, but the most cordial relations have been maintained, and 'closest working co-operation and confidence have been established. General MacArthur achieved the main objectives laid down in his directive dash to hold Australia as a base for future offensive action against Japan, to check Japanese aggression in the : South-West Pacific area, and to prepare to take the offensive. He has won 1 the eternal gratitude of the Australian people for the service he rendered.” Preparing for Final Hound

Mr. Curtin concluded: "We look forward with confidence to an offensive in which our forces will participate with those of the United States, Britain. China and the Netherlands in an irresistible advance which will wrest from the Japanese their illgotten gains and bring about their utter defeat."