PACIFIC THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24808, 7 January 1942, Page 5

PACIFIC THEATRE

NEW COMMANDERS REACTION IN BRITAIN UNANIMOUS APPROVAL (Rec. 8.30 p.m.l RUGBY. Jan. 6. The appointment oj General Sir Archibald Wavell as supreme commander of the American, British. Dutch and dominion forces in the Pacific has been unanimously welcomed in Britain.

The Manchester Guardian says: The four Allies, fighting against one enemy inside a circle whose centre is Singapore and whose radius is at least 2000 miles, are at a disadvantage until they unite strategy and strength. General Wavell has been placed in supreme command of the land, sea and air forces of the Empire, the United States and the Dutch East Indies in the South-west Pacific, which includes Malaya, the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines. Because of the losses we have suffered from the air and of the high future importance of air operations, it is particularly fitting that General Wavell's deputy should be Major-general Brett. Chief of the Air Corps of the United States Army. Lieutenant-general Sir Henry Pownall's appointment as chief 'of staff surely implies the full recognition of the importance of Malaya, the command of which he had been given just before this new post came to him. It is right, too. that Admiral T. C. Hart, of the United States Pacific Fleet. should command at sea, for it is clear that the main naval responsibility must be borne bv his country until we have settled the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. "Everyone in Britain will be pleased to hear that General Chiang Kai-shek has accepted the supreme command over all the land and air forces of the united nations which are now. or may in the future, be operating in the Chinese theatre, including such portions of Indo-China and Thailand as may become available to the troops of the united nations. The next task is quickly to supply the new command with men. aircraft and warships."

HIT BY BOMBS JAPANESE BATTLESHIP WASHINGTON, (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) Jan. 5. An Army Department communique issued at 5 p.m. stated: "American Army bombers scored direct hits on a Japanese battleship and sank an enemy destroyer off Davao in the Philippines." The communique adds: " Hits were made on other enemy vessels, but the damage has not been determined. Our planes returned to their base undamaged."