The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1942 ALASKA —THE NORTHERN WAR BASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 55, 6 March 1942, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1942 ALASKA —THE NORTHERN WAR BASE

JT is generally accepted as a fact that the policy of general rctireI ment before the Japanese advance cannot possibly win the war. j To win the war in the Pacific the Allies must attack. Having decided upon a policy of surprise wholesale aggression | Japan had the maximum of advantage at the point of time when she entered the war. Since then she has .suffered losses, anil inso tar as those losses have outbalanced those borne by the Allies, her total of advantages has been reduced. With every step forward occasioned by success, however, Japan’s position becomes more vulnerable, for if her lines of com munication can be disrupted, her military effort in particular and her naval effort to a lesser degree, becomes liable to the process of hamstringing. In order to reduce the possibility of this process being enacted Japan is concerned to drive the Allies out of the Western Pacific. Owing to the measure of advantage which she still enjoys the possibility of her succeeding in this cannot be le’l out of account. This policy leads inevitably to the Japanese moving against India, Australia and Alaska. Under conditions as they at present exist, defensive operations for some time at least must be the order of the day in India and Australia. Alaska, however, offers opportunities for direct offensive action against Japan. The first steps in this defensive-offensive action were taken before Japan entered the lists as a belligerent. The Canadian and the United States Governments eamo to an agreement whereby the United Stales was conceded a right of way by air and road through <.'anada to Alaska. Large scale air bases were laid down af Ednion lon. Grand Prairie, f 'ort St. John. Port Nelson, Matson Lake, Whitehorse. Boundary (Alaska), and Fairbanks. Not content with fhi.a highway right through ('anada has been laid off and const rue tion is being pressed forward at high speed. The defence of Alaska centres upon Fairbanks and Anchorage. • from which airways to established aerodromes have been laid off. These aerodromes interlock as to area of operations, and Anchorage is the centre of the air ami sea defence system against hostili approaches from tiie sea to llu interior of Alaska. Further to lie west, on the island of Unalaska, the most easterly of the Aleutians I is Dutch Harbour, a naval, submarine and air basis This station r the must northerly of the American Fleet's Pacific Quadrilateral. The Japan, se are aware that their country is vulnerable b attack from operations based on Hutch Harbour, but so far liny have not attacked this base. Weather conditions for flying opera, lions in Alaska generally are not reliable. Even in the month 01 June last Fairbanks had only 2'2 days of good Hying weather, and Anchorage had only eight. During the winter conditions af Dutch Harbour would be so rigorous as to reduce operations to a ininimiiie . and make a long-range Japanese air attack not north the effort ami I expense which would be incurred. Immediately following the bombing of Pearl Harbour in Hawaii the American authorities placed an order for the monthli delivery as soon as possible of 10(H) foor-engined bombej planes These large planes will be able Io operate: against flic cities o; Japan. The Japanese population is accustomed to laime-sc.di calamities such as Moods and earthquakes. and it can lie expected I 1 hat I hey would he able to wit list and the st ra in of 111 <■ir <• i 1 ies heine I oombed. H tiny were subjected to an inrendiarv bombing. how ever, the houses are so inflammable. lhat. a large portion of tlie population would be rendered homeless. The military worth ot such an operation would, however, be l< ss Ilian would iie pro\hied by the destruction of Ihe shipping and dock facilities and Hie indns trial area in Osaka. Such operations would slow down the supplier reaehiim the Japanese armies in Burma, I'iiina. the Philippines and the Netherlands Ba.sl Indies at a time when those ,-iriuies would Inmore heavily engaged than they are now. Il is improbable that these long-range bombing' operations v, il he nudertakin before the end ot -liiiie. because il would be unwisi 10 -send bombers to Japan from Dutch Ha rlioti r wit bout providing them with a lighter escort. Fidilers must he convened e, . p; their ranee of aelioii ami the a i rera ft-carried is. by its nature, a verv vulnerable vessel and would Heed Io la supported |,\- a naw i escort' There, again, a diflieulty would ,-irise. The' naval would have to be strong emutgh to withstand an attack i, v fin ■ Japanese (,'rand Fleet if the op, rat inn were Io rest -.Jck'np, Alaska. An operation on a very big scale Would have to is- oi'eaii ; °ri!er Io ensure sifati-ess. unless the spread of the Japaiwi IS so great that that country's navy could not coucelifre h I ad its hrand l icet in hnme waters. With the progress oi i A -,w H I ll|llln Pi'esent lines il is lii-eomiim im-reasiimlv difficult for Jaii-in p. I mamtarn Hus com-ent ration of naval loree. hut in order to s,i-l"o Hus necessity lor deceui ral>sa 1 ion th.- Allies must maintain 11 Hl. .South-western Pa.-ifn-, In order then that Alaska inav plai IS part 111 providing bases i..r offensives against Japan it will be AHied Sojh-western Pacific front at all