PACIFIC COMMAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 7 April 1945, Page 5

PACIFIC COMMAND

NIMITZ AND MACARTHUR SOME NEW STEP TO BE TAKEN ASSAULT ON JAPAN OR CHINA Washington, April 5. The joint Chiefs of Staff, with the President's approval, have modified the command organisation for the war against Japan with a view to giving full effect to the application of our forces against the Japanese, including large forces to be redeployed from Europe, taking into account the changed conditions resulting from progress in both the South-west Pacific and the Pacific Ocean Areas.

“The rapid advance in both areas has brought us in proximity to the Japanese homeland and the China coast and the corresponding change in the character of operations to be conducted are considerations which have dictated the new directive,” says the text of the statement. “General MacArthur will be given command of all Army forces and resources and Admiral Nimitz of all naval forces and resources in the Pacific theatre. “General Arnold will continue to command the 20th Air Force and the joint Chiefs of Staff will continue to exercise the strategic direction of the entire Pacific theatre and will charge either General MacArthur or Admiral Nimitz with the overall responsibility for conducting specific operations or campaigns. “Normally General MacArthur will be charged with the conduct of land campaigns and Admiral Nimitz with sea campaigns. Each commander will furnish forces and resources of his service for the joint forces Yequired for operations planned by the Chiefs of Staff.

“Essentially the new arrangements will permit either commander to conduct operations and campaigns in any part of the entire theatre as directed by the joint conduct of the operatin or campaign duly directed by the joint Chiefs of Staff. The choice of which commander shall be charged with responsibility in each case will be dependent upon the nature of the operation or campaign to be undertaken.” The United Press of America comments that apparently a new phase of the Pacific war is about to begin, either a grand assault on Japan or China. The High Command regards the present stage of the Pacific conflict as comparable with the situation in Europe before the Normandy invasion—the war will be largely a ground operation with the Navy to support landings and guard transports, with the Philippines acting in Britain’s role as a staging point for troops and supplies. However, ther# will not be a Pacific Supreme Commander similar to General Eisenhower. MOUNTBATTEN’S POSITION NOT AFFECTED London, April 5. General Mac Arthur’s and Admiral Nimitz's Pacific appointments will not affect Admiral Mountbatten’s position as Commander-in-Chief of the South-East Asia Command, says the Press Association’s military correspondent.