FIRST BIG BLOW

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24748, 23 November 1943, Page 3

FIRST BIG BLOW

CLIMAX TO BOMBINGS GREAT FLEET AT HAND BAIT TO JAPANESE NAYY (Reed. 11.45 p.m.) NEW YORK. Nov. 21 The landings on Makin and Tarawa Islands constituted the first major United States offensive blow in the war in the Central Pacific, says the Associated Press correspondent at Pearl Harbour. They followed the week of bombings by Liberators and carrier-based planes against Japanese strongpoints in the Gilberts, the Marshalls and Nauru. The correspondent adds: "Landings on such atolls are win, die or retreat operations. The fact that the Japanese on Tarawa have been able to hold out in strength for over 24 hours indicates that the bitterest fighting is progressing, while the statement that the Americans met only moderate opposition on Makin indicates that they may soon be in complete control." Possible Naval Battle The United Press correspondent says that one of the greatest American armadas ever assembled is cruising in the Central Pacific. If the Japanese gend out their fleet to resist the American move, a major naval battle may

develop. The military correspondent of the New York Times, Hanson Baldwin, does not think, however, that the loss of either the Gilberts or the Marshalls would entice the Japanese fleet into action. He believes the Allies will have to get much nearer the Japanese homei land before the enemy would risk such a dangerous throw. Mr. Baldwin says that the offensive against the Gilberts and the Marshalls has obvious advantages. Communication lines from the American west coast and Hawaii are far shorter than to the South-west Pacific, there are no malarial jungles, and the islands are so small that they can be taken in a brief time. Truk, the vital Japanese base, would be endangered if an Allied drive captured the Marshalls. Enemy Holds Menaced Makin Island, where the enemy resistance is only moderate, is the most northerly of the Gilberts. Both Makin and Tarawa lie north-east of the Solomons, and are 1600 miles from Rabaui. Makin is the site of a seaplane baso and radio station, while Tarawa, 100 miles to the south, has a large air base. The Japanese loss of Tarawa would almost inevitably lead to the loss ol the whole Gilbert group, and would expose the southern flank of the Marshalls, where the enemy has an important base at Jaiuit. Makin was the scene of the first American commando landing of the Pacific war, when Colonel James Roosevelt led an attack on the island which put its defences out of action for many months. The Gilbert Islands were seized by the Japanese soon alter the attack on Pearl Harbour, and have been several times attacked by United States Navy task forces. Possible Future Moves "The landings will probably be followed by others on positions even more vital to the enemy's defensive strategy," says the Associated Press correspondent, John Hightower. "Apparently the landings are a manoeuvre to gain bases from which to support the next move, which may be aimed against Nauru to the west or against the Marshalls to the north. Admiral _ Nimitz must keep the attack rolling last and build up Makin and Tarawa as bases." I lie Washington correspondent of the United Press nays military experts regard the landings as the second arm of a powerful pincers aimed at 'lruk. 1500 miles to the westward, where the major portion of the Japanese fleet is based. Tarawa and Makin form the primary eastern defences of Truk. which alreadv is threatened by the Solomons drive. Once Truk falls the sea route to Tokyo will be open." "The pulse quickens at the news of the Makin and Tarawa landings," says the Now York Herald-Tribune. "The announcement means that the Pacific fleet, rebuilt from the wreckage of Pearl Harbour and enormously strengthened 'by two years' mighty efforts, has been deployed at last as an offensive weapon in "the vast Pacific battle."