TAKE ATTACK TO JAPAN

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15235, 28 December 1942, Page 3

TAKE ATTACK TO JAPAN

NEW METHODS NECESSARY United Pi ess Assn.— By ETeetrie Telegraph—Copyright(Special Australia.! Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Dec. 27. “The long-drawn nature of the fighting in Papua and the Southeast Solomons indicates clearly that the approach toward # Japan from these areas is manifestly inadequate for an Allied offensive,” declares the Now Pork Times’ military correspondent, Major Hanson Baldwin, in discussing the long-term strategy of the war against Japan. --Mew fronts must be opened,” lie writes. “Additional drives may have to come eastward from the Continent of Asia and westward from Hawaii. The reconquest of Burma, with the consequent reopening of the Burma Road, is a necessary prelude to an assault upon Japan’s mainland forces in China of the seizure of air bases within easy operating range of the Japanese home islands. “There are two sea approaches to Japan. Firstly, there is the direct westward move from Pearl Harbour Midway and Johnson Islands towards Wake, Marcus. Guam, Marianas and possibly some of the Bonins. 'Such an advance would greatly simplify the American supply problem, shortening supply lines as compared with a major effort from Australia. Furthermore, it would obviate th© necessity of reconquering many South Pacific Islands held by the Japanese, which would he out flanked and their communications with Japan either rut or severely impaired.

“Secondly Japan is approachable from the north-eastern bases in Alaska and the Aleutians via the stepping stones of the outer islands towards Kurils. Such an advance would probably necessitate the use of the Russian base of Petropavlovsk or Kamchatka. However, the prevailing weather is extremely adverse, making victory in sea and air engagements largely a matter of luck We would not bo able to e>ort our superior power as effectively as in the clear dependable weather further south.”