PACIFIC WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22470, 4 January 1943, Page 5

PACIFIC WAR

Offensive Action Imperative Danger Of Delay N.Z.P.A.—Special Australian Correspondent (9 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 3. The warnings given by Mr Curtin of the danger of delaying an accelerated offensive against Japan are finding support from many quarters in the United States, and they have also provoked wide discussion on the best way to defeat Japan. * Overseas war correspondents in this theatre have reinforced Mr Curtin’s views, emphasising the mounting problems which may confront the United Nations if the Japanese are given time to entrench themselves strongly in outpost positions. It is reported from Washington that Mr Curtin also made official representations for the strengthening of the Allied forces in the Pacific. Describing the Pacific war as the “step-child of the United Nations.” the “New York Post” assesses Mr Curtin’s statement as an appeal to the American people over the heads of their military leaders to get more war material to the South-west Pacific. “Some day the real importance of the Pacific war is going to be appreciated in Washington,” declares an American broadcasting commentator, Mr W. Henry, who recently toured the South-west Pacific war zone. “Let us hope that the day will not be too long put off. I can testify personally to the force of Mr Curtin's views. This is the feeling shared by everyone who goes to the Pacific zone.” Mr Curtin's virtual pleas for limited assistance enabling a tilting in the Allied favour of the “delicately poised” situation in this theatre has embarked many commentators on a discussion of the strategies for the defeat of Japan. “Up to now we have only nibbled at the fringes of the new Japanese Impire,” declares the “New York Daily News.” "Even after months of trying we have not pushed the Japanese off Guadalcanal or Papua. Victory over Japan appears impossible until we can either blockade Japan Into starvation or smash the main enemy fleet at sea and mount an offensive against Japan from Hawaii, plus an air offensive from Siberia or China.” Not the Way to Tokio The widely syndicated American columnist. Mr Gilbert Cant, writes: ‘lt is clear that from Australia is not the way to Tokio. China must be reinforced, especially in the air, if we are to beat Japan in measurable time.” "Delay in China and the Pacific is regarded less as an invitation to disaster than delay in Europe and North Africa," says the New York “HeraldTribune,” quoting a report just issued by President Roosevelt’s Board of Economic Warfare, which reads: “Unlike Germany and Japan, we have not reached the peak of production. Japan has neither the shipping nor the processing capacity to use fully her newlyacquired raw materials and conquered manpower in South-west Asia. Increased attacks on Japanese merchant shipping by air and sea must be made so that we can weaken Japan’s chance in 1943 and make full use of her looted raw materials.”

Admiral Halsey’s prophecy of complete victory for the Allies in 1943 is regarded among war commentators in Australia as significant. The widely held view here is epitomised by the “Chicago Sun” correspondent, Edward Angly, who wrote in his latest dispatch: “People have to make up their minds that the Pacific war will be long, costly and bloody. It is only a few weeks ago that we began to stop losing to the Japanese.” The Associated Press of America says the rumblings of Chinese and Australian discontent with the "Hitler first” strategy would fall ungraciously on American ears, but for two circumstances. Firstly, Admiral Halsey’s forecast of victory in the Pacific in 1943, and secondly the blasting Christmas raid on Wake Island. Admiral Halsey's words were important because his achievements baulked the Japanese conquest and march towards Australia and probably paved the way for the vision of victory so boldly conjured up in the New Year greetings. The stunning smash on Wake Island means perhaps that soon the Stars and Strikes will rise again on Wake in another step towards Tokio. The blunt truth in the Pacific is that the “Hitler first” decision has been taken, and implemented by tremendous action. There is no receding from that course now, even if disappointment among the Pacific Allies that the offensive against Japan is not yet in sight nags them into verbal protests or ungracious gestures. Impregnable Base The Sydney “ Sunday Sun ” suggests that “ Given the comparatively new planes and ships required, then the Australian zone would soon cease to be a worry either to herself or her friends. The two would become an impregnable base to feed an eventual direct attack on Japan, probably by way of China, and she would be able to release manpower and material for the offensive instead of the defensive fronts. Without planes and ships the United Nations in their war effort in the South Pacific would have to continue their hard and bloody way, using thousands of men to do a job that fewer could do with the right sea and air backing.” This indeed is the point of Mr Curtin’s appeal which is described by the Glasgow “ Herald ” as “ welcome though it reemphasises the inevitable lack of the objectivity with which Australia sometimes appears to regard tire war, and which the presence of a British Minister in Canberra might perhaps remedy.” Mr Curtin has indicated that such an appointment would be welcomed here. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times,” Charles Hurd, says that although 20,000 Japanese soldiers in the Solomons area have been virtually rendered impotent behind the American air and sea blockade, and the losses in men and planes in New Guinea are also disastrous, and naval losses have severely weakened her strength, Japan is still redoubtable. for she is developing conquered resources, also, according to reliable intelligence she possesses a large reservoir of shipping that has not yet hazarded the war zones. It. is difficult as things stand for the Allies to force an approach undetected within 2000 miles of the Japanese Empire from the sea. Therefore, the question must be asked “ why s Japan willing to make tremendous sacrifices and defend the Solomons and New Guinea where she has already lost 100,000 men and 1000 planes ?" It would be logical to assume that the Japanese commander withdrew the hardpressed outermost flanks to tighten the lines in preparation for renewed attacks against the Allies, but tire Japanese do not hold their theory. This is an often-noted peculiarity of their military mind, and it holds a prospect for the Allies and may save us the tremendous cost involved in an outright invasion of Japan by permitting herself to be destroyed on the perimeter of her defences. If our fortunes continue as in the past few months this is not impossible.