The Southland Times. MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1942. Defence Problems in the Pacific

Southland Times, Issue 24652, 26 January 1942, Page 4

The Southland Times. MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1942. Defence Problems in the Pacific

AUSTRALIAN statesmen have done what they can to prevent Britain and the United States from regarding the war in the Pacific as a conflict of secondary importance. Cables were sent to President Roosevelt and Mr Churchill aftei’ an emergency meeting of the Australian War Cabinet; and statements were made later by several Ministers, emphasizing the need for .immediate assistance. “The British Government,” said the Minister of Supply, Mr Beasley, “was deluding itself if it failed to see that the battle of the Pacific was the battle of the Atlantic too.” This may be true; but it is a truth which remains equally valid if it is turned upside down. The Atlantic supply line is still the vital link between the Englishspeaking democracies. It has allowed the heart of the Empire to receive food, raw materials and war equipment, much of which has been used with conspicuous success in Libya and Russia. The spectacular victories gained recently by the Red Army would be vain efforts if they were not followed up by a relentless drive on all parts of the eastern front, and to make this possible the Russians must continue to receive material support from Britain and the United States. It would be playing into Germany’s hands to relax the war effort in the west while preparing to meet the new danger in the east. But there is nevertheless a great deal that can be done to help Australia and New Zealand without lifting th« pressure on Germany. When the Lease-Lend programme was first extended to include Russia the United States was still a nonbelligerent. It is now at war with the Axis, and its entire economy has been placed on a war footing. The defence of North America naturally has first call on men and weapons; but there is no immediate threat to the new world, and it should be possible to send planes, warships and key personnel to various parts of the Pacific. Britain’s position has been made difficult by the increasing demands of the Middle East. It seems highly probable that if the Germans are forced to remain on the defensive in Russia they will make a desperate effort to break through the British cordon in the Mediterranean. Moreover, if the greater part of the German army is tied up in Russia when good campaigning weather returns with the spring-, it may be possible for Britain to attempt the long awaited land offensive in the west — or, if this is still impracticable, to extend develop the coastal raids until they can seriously embarrass the enemy. Ships and Planes

Large numbers of trained men are now concentrated in Britain, and although the armies of the Middle East will continue to need reinforcements there should be a surplus available for overseas expeditions. The announcement that training in the Home Guard is to be made compulsory suggests that there is no intention of keeping the bulk of the army as an insurance against invasion. But it would be foolish to expect Britain to send large reinforcements to the Pacific. The amount of shipping needed for such expeditions would be far greater than could be provided in the present circumstances. It is to the United States that the Pacific Dominions must look for early assistance. Even then, the great distances would make it necessary for the Americans to use more ships than seem to be available at present. But in the meantime much can be done with aircraft. The fighting in Malaya has proved that air power can be a decisive factor in the type of warfare which has to be faced in the Pacific. Japan is using fleets of transports and supply ships to convey her expeditions to a series of scattered fronts. Naval superiority enables her to use large convoys with little fear of attack; but she is operating in narrow waters, frequently within range of shore-based aircraft. Her comparative immunity is partly the result of the powerful air protection she is able to provide for her naval squadrons and transports. If this air support can be challenged by British and American planes the Japanese expeditions will become increasingly difficult, especially as the lines of communication are extended down the Pacific. The masses of infantry that have been thrown into Malaya cannot be used on fronts which have to be attacked entirely from the sea. Air defence therefore seems to be the solution of the problem jwhich now confronts the Allies in the Pacific. Bombers can be flown from the United States to New Zealand and Australia; and in both countries, especially Australia, there may already be a ground organization able to cope with an influx of machines. Naval assistance may also be possible. It can be taken for granted, however, that all reasonable steps will be taken to strengthen the Pacific front. The British and United States Governments will realize that there are limits beyond which the Japanese must not be allowed to pass. It is probable, indeed, that those limits have already been reached. But British people in the Pacific must realize that, when help comes, it will have to be supplementary to their own efforts, and that these will demand all the strength that is in them. The Federal Government was right to appeal for help. But the best statement made recently in Australia, and the one most likely to enlist public support in Britain and the United States, was a firm declaration by Mr Curtin. “Australia,” he said, “will in no circumstances surrender to Japan. The only Australian who would co-operate with Japan would be a dead Australian.” There will be no lack of support for those who are ready to fight with all their strength in the defence of their own soil.