AUSTRALIA’S BIG ROLE

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S BIG ROLE

Essential Supplies For New Fleet

(Rec. 8.30 p.m.) CANBERRA, December 13. The whole success of the pending naval operations in the Pacific depended on. coal, said the Conunander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, in an interview. If Australia’s coal supplies broke down and rail and other services had to be curtailed the Fleet would be immensely affected. “We will welcome decisive action in the Pacific,” Sir Bruce declared. “I believe the concentration of British and American fleets will considerably shorten the war against Japan.” Sir Bruce said that since the maintenance of her sea power was vital to Japan, it was probable that the enemy would keep on retiring before the superior Allied forces who would have to seek him out. Vice-Admiral C. S. Daniel, in charge of administration of the fleet, said that heavy demands would be made on Australia for food and labour. Australian food control officials have announced that more than half the Commonwealth’s proposed expenditure of £21,156,000 on services and supplies for the British Fleet would be accounted for by food. Practically every item required by the Navy would be provided. INSTALLATIONS READY Capital works in Australia valued at £10,000,000 would be available for use* by the fleet, it was stated. Many of the works were originally constructed for the Royal Australian Navy and the United States forces. It is believed likely that British dock workers will be brought to Australia

to man the new installations at Sydney and Brisbane, thus alleviating the shortage of skilled men in Australia. Australia is also likely to agree to a request by Admiral Fraser for the use of R.A.A.F. personnel for his fleet air arm. The part to be played by the R.A.F. in this theatre of war is now being planned. The senior air staff officer of the British liaison group now in Australia is a New Zealander, Group-Captain G. J. Grindell, D.F.C., A.F.C., who commanded bomber formations earlier in the war. WRENS FROM ENGLAND A contingent of more than 200 Wrens have already left England for duty with the British Pacific Fleet. The Australian Minister of the Navy, Mr N. J. O. Makin, has announced that the Australian Fleet will retain its identity after the arrival of the British Pacific Fleet. Like the British Fleet, it would be subject to the directions of the High Command in whatever area it was operating. It might serve as a task force, either with British or American units. A number of Australian warships, including several modern destroyers and corvettes, previously attached to the British Far Eastern Fleet, wotild, however, come under Admiral Fraser’s direct command and would form a part of the British Pacific Fleet. DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS Among the distinguished officers who have accompanied Admiral Fraser to Australia is Rear-Admiral R. H. Portal, D.S.C., who will be flag officer, Naval Air Stations, Australia. He is a younger brother of Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal, Chief of the British Air Staff. Rear-Admiral Portal commanded the cruiser York until she was sunk by German aircraft during the evacuation of Crete. Later he commanded the battleship Royal Sovereign. Vice-Admiral Portal served with the old Royal Naval Air Service in the last war and went to the Fleet Air Arm when it was resuscitated in 1925.