JAPANESE FLEET
Capable Of A Serious Battle Admiral Halsey’s Opinion By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 11. A Washington message says that Admiral W. F. Halsey, Allied naval commander in the South-west Pacific, commenting on the apparent reluctance of the Japanese navy to come out to fight, said: “Either the Japanese are saving their fleet until we approach the shores of the Japanese Empire, or they think they can wear us down by attrition tactics, and that we shall get tired and make a peace suitable to them—God knows I hope none will permit.
“We have definite superiority in air, land and sea forces wherever we are. You can be sure we are going to keep on pressing and hitting him continually and unceasingly.” At a press conference, asked if he believed the Japanese fleet could be considered badly crippled, Admiral Halsey replied: “Rather than badly, I would say seriously. Nevertheless, the enemy is capable of mustering enough for a serious battle.” Asked if there were any indications that the Japanese would be able to replace losses in warships, Admiral Halsey said: “There is evidence that a building programme Is proceeding, which we believe is not going too well.”
Asked If he considered it necessary to capture Truk, Admiral Halsey replied: “The only definite place which must be taken is Tokio.”
“Biggest Liars in History” Regarding the enemy’s strength in the air, Admiral Halsey said: “Their planes are Improved, but there is very definite deterioration in Japanese pilots.” He added that the disposition of the Japanese soldiers to surrender was increasing. “We have plenty of strength to carry the battle to the enemy’s homeland’.” said Admiral Halsey. "The movement of our fleet to Japan is no more a problem than the movements of the fleet anywhere else. We are going to keep on pressing and hitting the Japanese unceasingly. He will never know when the next blows are coming. He will get set In one place and we will hit him in another.”
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22789, 13 January 1944, Page 4
Word Count
336JAPANESE FLEET Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22789, 13 January 1944, Page 4
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