AIR POWER IN PACIFIC

Southland Times, Issue 24756, 29 May 1942, Page 5

AIR POWER IN PACIFIC

JAPANESE EXPANSION (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) SYDNEY, May 28. Evidence accumulates of the growth of Japanese air-power in the Southwest Pacific. Yet the enemy refrains from embarking on any heavy air offensive and the initiative at the moment stays with the Allies. However, those responsible for Allied preparedness are taking no risks. Orders have been given for a policy of more active vigilance than when the northern air war was at its height. A heavy Japanese blow may come soon. Some commentators believe that the strain of maintaining plane replacements and supplies, plus the preoccupation with the Chinese front, has caused a diminution of Japanese activity in the South West Pacific. Others believe that the Japanese are conserving their strength for a major attempt to cut the Allies’ Pacific supply line. This would involve at least the occupation of the New Hebrides and New Caledonia with possibly eventual deeper thrusts into the Pacific against Fiji and even Samoa. If the American reports that a great Japanese battle fleet is now based on the mandated Marshall Islands are accurate then the enemy forces are well disposed for such a move. , When the enemy occupied the northern Solomons Japanese soldiers told the natives that they would be ready to continue their southward drive in two months. That time has now almost elapsed. Meanwhile the enemy has been fortifying his bases and adding to his offensive strength.

CUTTING OF SUPPLY LINE Allied, air forces have dealt out some hard knocks, but these have not been sufficiently heavy to deflect the Japanese from their main purpose. Japan has made no secret of the fact that cutting the American-Australian supply line is a prime part of her Pacific strategy. Following the occupation of the northern Solomons the Japanese radio claimed that the heavy bomber supply route from the United States to the Eastern Australian coast was already menaced and the supply of these important offensive weapons jeopardized. But planes have continued to arrive in good numbers and Japan must move still further south and still deeper into the eastern Pacific to make good her boast. The most significant recent development in the northern air war is the heavily increased numbers of fighters being employed by the Japanese. In this week’s Allied raids on Lae and Rabaul Allied bombers were intercepted by packs of between 15 and 17 Zeros of the newest type. This increased number of fighter planes may indicate Japanese recognition of their failure to protect their bases by other defensive means. It may also mean that they are planning early new offensive operations in which combat planes such as fighters and dive-bombers must play an integral part. “There is no ground for complacency,” writes The Sydney Morning Herald war correspondent. “In this air war the enemy seems to have endless supplies of aircraft easily available. Furthermore, these planes are every bit the equal of ours and are often superior to ours.” In six days Japanese aircraft have made no daylight raids on any SouthWest Pacific objective. Their normal policy is to escort bombers with numI bers of fighters. Allied policy has been Ito send out bombers unprotected. Ali lied bomber pilots are almost invariably | called upon to become fighter pilots in I order to protect themselves and to get their valuable machines home,” says The Sydney Morning Herald writer. “Inevitably there are losses of fine aircraft and fine crews.” AIR STRENGTH NECESSARY

Air strength and combined sea and air strength are essential to the successful defence of the remaining Allied bases in the South-West Pacific ana the gathering of offensive power within these bases. Australia’s recognition of this fact is indicated by the answer given by the Prime Minister, Mr John Curtin, to a Press question whether maintenance in the Australian s , P“ building and aircraft production industries would take precedence over new construction. Mr Curtin answered that maintenance work in both industries would be unsatisfactory without a constructional core. The aircraft production and shipbuilding programmes were brsic. . , - -i From other sources it has Deen learned that the Australian Government desires skilled aircraft production and ship-building labour and materials to be used for keeping operational strengths at a maximum. Australia,_ m retaliating against Japanese aggression, must employ the weapon being brandished at her head. , , There is no advice at Allied headquarters to confirm the Japanese claim to have occupied Lombok, Umbawa and Flores, three islands of the Lesser Sunda group, between Java ana Timor. It is pointed out, however, that the Allies have not been in occupation or that region for some time. The only possible benefit the Japanese could gain from occupation of the islands would be through the establishment of an air base.