THE JAPANESE NAVY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24790, 15 December 1941, Page 5

THE JAPANESE NAVY

STRENGTH AT OUTBREAK (Rec. 7 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 13. The most recent information about the Japanese Navy at the outbreak is that the first and second fleets, known together as the combined fleet, under the command of Admiral Yamamoto, probably included 10 battleships, nine aircraft carriers, 28 cruisers (12 with eight-inch gums, six with six-inch guns, and 14 with 5.5 guns), about 126 destroyers, 86 submarines, and six seaplane carriers. In addition, a small force in northern waters consists of a few destroyers and ' small craft, and another in the mandated islands consists of destroyers, small craft, "and submarines.

The Japanese have no separate air force and the naval air strength probably consists of about 1550 aircraft. Of these about 500 are borne on carriers and other ships, and the remainder are at shore bases in Japan, Formosa, IndoChina, and the Mandated Islands. The majority of the naval air pilots are drawn from the lower deck, but officers are in command of the units. The Japanese have no marines, but all the officers and seamen have had training in land warfare. Besides Admiral Yamamoto, the most prominent commanders are Admiral Shimada (Minister of Marine), Admiral Nagano (Chief of the Naval Staff). and Admiral Koga, commanding the China Fleet under Admiral Yamamoto.