AMERICAN NAVAL MANOEUVRES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 5 April 1933, Page 5

AMERICAN NAVAL MANOEUVRES

BIG OPERATION'S IN PACIFIC

SAN FRANCISCO, 20th February. The great American naval manoeuvres in the Pacific ended to-day. For a week practically the whole of the Pacific and Atlantic fleets have been engaged with the problem of an attack by “an enemy unknown.” Two hundred and twelve ships, 236 aeroplanes, and 39,000 officers and men took part. The development of the idea involved much activity among the islands of the Pacific, including those for which Japan holds a mandate. The operations concluded with a great spectacular air raid by the “enemy” on the naval bases in Puget Sound, California. Vice-Admiral F. Clark was in command of the “Black” fleet. His object was to capture Hawaii and thence launch a thrust at the mainland. Admiral L. McNamee commanded the defending force. Admiral Mahan was umpire. The “Black” strength lay chiefly m the aiiv but apparently the attempt to land in Hawaii failed. Doubt is expressed . whether the enemy's air raiders, protected only by cruisers, were sufficiently strong to demolish San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Pedro. . It is questioned, moreover, whether aeroplane carriers, even presuming the capture of Hawaii as a base could steam 2100 miles and successfully tackle _ a strong battle force defending California. Naval and military men, in commenting on the manoeuvres, find reasons, however, for strengthening the Ameiican forces on land and sea, and for improving the bases in the Pacific.