MASTERY OF SKIES

Southland Times, Issue 24684, 4 March 1942, Page 5

MASTERY OF SKIES

Japanese Supply Of Planes NEW YORK, March 3. The Wdrld-Telegram calls attention to indications that Japan is running short of planes. This was pointed out in a Washington communique, which referred to Japan’s use of reserve planes on Batan Peninsula. Moreover, dispatches from Java indicate a lessening of enemy air activity in particular. A United Press correspondent states: “I was surprised by the lack of Japanese fighter planes.”. He said that Allied planes continued strong in the air, while Japanese planes were able to give their troops little support. Other sources point out that the wide distribution of the Japanese forces is probably causing a shortage of planes. Another correspondent writes: “I watched the Dutch coolly move troops and supplies to the front. I was surprised at the lack of enemy planes overhead. It seems the Allies control the skies.” HARD BLOWS AT ENEMY There has been some diminution of air activity on the Burma front after the thrashings meted out to the Japanese in the middle of last week, states the Air Ministry News Service. This does not mean that the Allied air forces are idle. The R.A.F. bomber squadron ll have kept hal'd at it day after day. The chief aim of the R.A.F. Command is to give all possible support to the Army in opposing the advance of the Japanese foot by foot. In this the R.A.F. has been consistently successful and some of the Japanese columns must have suffered heavily. Over 50 enemy aircraft were shot out of the sky last Wednesday and Thursday. Apart from some losses on the ground, Allied losses were exceptionally small. There is no disposition on the part of the Allied air crews to think lightly of the Japanese. The general verdict is that they shoot well and that their bravery is fanatical but their army planes simply crumble before the fiercely driven home attacks and counter-attacks of the Allies. The American Volunteer Group which has been exacting such terrible toll of the Japanese has won the wholehearted admiration of the R.A.F. In some places the R.A.F. has performed other _ services—notably the ferrying of civilians, including many women and children, out of the danger zone.