SOUTH WESTERN PACIFIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 6 October 1942, Page 2

SOUTH WESTERN PACIFIC

STRATEGIC VALUE STRESSED N«w York, Oct. 4. “Though the campaign in the southwest Pacific seems infinitesimal compared with the clash of the hosts in southern Russia, it might be made almost as decisive as the latter,” declares the “Herald-Tribune” in an editorial, “since the South-West Pacific has strategic possibilities out of proportion to the numbers engaged. “While it would be a grave mistake to regard the Pacific campaign as a substitute for the body-blow which must sooner or later be delivered against Hitler in Europe, it would be an equally grave mistake to regard the Pacific purely as defensive holding operations.” says the paper.

“The defensive actions of the Coral Sea, Midway Island and the Solomons have apparently had an unforeseen positive strategic effect: they have probably saved India. An attack against India would require the use of the Bay of Bengal under cover of sea-power, but the Japanese Navy has not appeared off Bengal since its heavy losses of carriers and cruisers in the Pacific. “It can be said, though with less confidence that the Pacific operations have prevented a Japanese attack on Siberia.” remarks the newspaper. “Meanwhile, the threat which Port Moresby end Guadalcanar together represent to the Japanese bases and communications in the Indies have evoked a powerful Japanese counter-attack, which has been repulsed with heavy losses. Japan either no longer possesses or is no longer willing to risk aviation for simultaneous operations in the Solomons and New Guinea. “If our commanders regard all this in a purely defensive spirit the Japanese will undoubtedly return, but if we are really denting the Japanese air and shipping strengths, there are offensive possibilities which, pressed vigorously, could seriously upset the whole balance in East Asia.”—P.A.