COLONEL TO BLAME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25563, 16 June 1944, Page 4

COLONEL TO BLAME

PEARL HARBOUR DISASTER CHARGE OF MISMANAGEMENT WASHINGTON, June 14. Mismanagement by an army colonel, and his collaboration with a Germanborn contractor, delayed completion of the aircraft warning system that would have detected the approach of Japanese planes in the Pearl Harbour attack, and the Japanese assault could have been robbed of its surprise element had there been no neglect and delay in carrying out the contracts. This was stated in the report by the House Military Committee after a secret investigation. The United Press points- out that the planes’ approach to Pearl Harbour actually was detected by a soldier who was authorised to practise operation of the radio locator, hut his senior officer refused to heed his warning.

The committee criticised Colonel Theodore Wyman, district army engineer, Honolulu, for discriminating in favour of Hans Wilhelm Rohl in awarding secret army construction contracts. The committee said the evidence showed that Rohl was arrogant, boastful, and aggressively pro-German, and proud of his association with high Nazis. The evidence also showed that Wyman spent the night of the Pearl Harbour attack at Rolil's home, after which Wyman rushed to his office in civilian clothes, in a drunken condition, and changed into uniform in the presence of the office staff, including women, shouting orders to everybody. The committee noted that Wyman was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service at Honolulu from October 14, 1941. to March 15, 1942, covering the period of the Rohl contracts. The committee’s report concluded: “We think the facts reported justify some action by the War Department.’