Momentous Plan To Speed Pacific War

Northern Advocate, 29 April 1944, Page 5

Momentous Plan To Speed Pacific War

(Special) SYDNEY. This Day. A momentous conference at which was formulated plans for speeding up the war in the Pacific has been announced from General MacArthur’c headquarters. Revealing a recent meeting in Australia of General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz. a special statement from South-West Pacific headquarters says: “General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz conferred regarding future operations in the Pacific of their two commands. Flans were completely integrated so that a maximum of cooperative effort might be exerted against the enemy. Now that Admiral Halsey's South Pacific command has virtually ceased to exist, it is authoritatively stated that there will be only two Pacific commands —General MacArthur's and Admiral Nimitz's. The shattering effect with which these commands are able to work together was brilliantly demonstrated in last week’s New Guinea landings. . L General MacArthur provided men and land fighting material, while Admiral Nimitz furnished a powerful naval escort to convoy the attack forces and blaze the trail for their landings. An official statement that the commanders aim at a “maximum of cooperative effort,” is interpreted to mean that further co-ordinated blows are in prospect. Eliminate Halsey’s Command It is understood that the elimination of Admiral Halsey’s command and his assignment io new duties was brought about at the meeting between General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz, says the "New York Times” correspondent in New Guinea (Frank Kluckhohn). It is also understood that Admiral Halsey's equipment will be divided between Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur.

Commenting on the integration of Admiral Nimitz’s and General MacArthur's plans, the correspondent savs the geographical divisions of the two commands are unchanged. The fact that Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur got along splendidly together means that a basis of personal friendship has been established which will have a greater effect upon the unitv of future operations than any formal agreement might have accomplished. General MacArthur has made no secret that his primary objective is to return to the Philippines as rapidly as possible. Therefore, it is certain that no agreement would ho possible ’unless Admiral Nimitz concurred. Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur, in effect, expressed agreement that they should operate together. This does not mean that General MacArthur's and Admiral Nimitz’s forces will work jointly or continually, but it does mean that the two have agreed as to what part of the job of retaking the Philippines and attacking Japan each will play, and they will work together when advisable and practicable.