ANOTHER ROAD TO TOKIO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 November 1943, Page 5

ANOTHER ROAD TO TOKIO

INVASION OF GILBERTS VIEWS OF ADMIRAL NIMITZ Pearl Harbour, Nov. 24. “The invasion of the Gilberts is another road to Tokio. In due time we will have enough equipment and material to travel all the roads. I am sure we will not neglect any approach, but I believe Japan will eventually be de-f-Kited from China,” Admiral Nimitz. C-in-C Pacific Fleet, said this to-day in his first press conference since January. He added that he doubted whether Japan would hold out at the present rate until 1949. “We may expect a* major naval action in the Pacific. The Japanese Fleet may accept engagement, and as long as its main units are intact it behoves us to maintain the strength to ensure that the engagement will be favourable. Therefore, we must not disperse our fleet, thus permitting the Japanese to concentrate on any unit which is weaker than the main enemy fleet, which is scattered from the Kurils through Japanese home waters to the Philippines, the Netherland East Indies, the mandated islands and the Solomons.” Admiral Nimitz expressed the opinion that the Japanese did rot have advance information of American naval operations in the Central Pacific. The Gilberts were securely in American hands. The immediate future would be devoted to consolidation and preparing for further attacks. He did not know whether the Japanese in the Gilberts were fighting to the end or surrendering, but so far few prisoners have been taken. Enemy casualties were heavy, while American casualties were very light at Makin and heavier at Tarawa. They expected the Japanese to take greater measures to defend Tarawa, which was an excellent airfield. Asked “Where to from the Gilberts,” Admiral Nimitz replied, “wherever the Japanese are.” Commenting on Tokio claims for sinkings of American warships in the Solomons and Central Pacific. Admiral Nimitz said he could not understand them, but could state they were categorically untrue up to the present. He anticipated strong Japanese air and submarine reaction as rapidly as they could move forces to the Central Pacific. “We are not immune from attacks but are pi’epared to meet them,” said Admiral Nimitz. “Our own submarines, which are like little liver pills, working while you sleep, are taking a heavy toll of the enemy’s shipping. Indeed I would be very unhappy if we were losing merchantmen at the rate of the •Japanese losses.”

A spokesman revealed that Army Liberators on Monday struck against Ocean Island westward of the Gilberts where heavy and accurate ackack was encountered. Carrier planes attacked Mili atoll in the Marshalls. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says observers believe that the success of the Gilbert landings will lead to further attacks in the Marshalls and then the Carolines and Marianas, including the former United States base of Guam. Howit is doubted whether ari early attempt will be made to retake Wake. JAPANESE “EAGER FOR NAVAL SHOWDOWN” “The invasion of the Gilberts constitutes a threat to the Marshalls and presages a real decisive battle of the fleets in which the Imperial Navy is seeking to demonstrate its invincibility,” said Tokio official radio. “In the present counter-offensive the Americans are trying to advance in the Central Pacific by making the Gilberts a second Guadalcanar. The strategic sigmflcance of the counter-offensive is extremely great in view of the fact that the Gilberts are adjacent to our mandated territory in the Marshalls. Indeed, the entire area of the sa-called inner South Seas on whose eastern side lies Jaluit Island is the navy’s immovable strategic sphere and its largest area of operations. Japan must defend at all costs the inner ring of defences because invasion of the Gilberts shows America’s desire to secure springboards foi an attack against the heart of the empire. , ?7ie Japanese Navy welcomes a showdown in which it will demonstrate its mettle and skill.”