WAR REVIEW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 117, 21 May 1942, Page 5

WAR REVIEW

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS PROBLEMS IN PACIFIC SITUATION DISCUSSED Rugby, May 19. After it was stated in the House j of Commons that Mr. Churchill was unlikely to take part in the debate , on the war situation unless some point arose with which he thought lie ought to deal, the Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee) opened by referring to setbacks in the Pacific area. “The Japanese as the result of our losses are in a position to strike out in various directions,” he said. “Not having command of the sea we are inevitably in a weak strategic position at present. With islands scattered around the Indian and Pacific Oceans it is perfectly obvious that it is impossible to provide adequate forces at every point. It would be equally unsound to concentrate on one area .be-

’ fore Japan revealed her main objec- ' five. However, we must strengthen the vital point and hold positions from 1 which later we will launch an offen--1 sive.” • Mr. Attlee said that it was not clear ! which way the main Japanese thrust ’ would strike. It might be China, India, Ceylon, Australia, or New Zea--1 land. The battle of the Coral Sea ■ had inflicted a severe check as it had ■ defeated a raid on Ceylon, but the I threat to Australia remained. He said ■ that the British should have the ut--5 most sympathy with the people of < Australia" who were facing the possi--1 bility of invasion. They were British f kith and kin and the natural impulse - was to send every possible help as It Australia and New Zealand were lave ish in their help to Britain. To Reinforce Australia i The Allies must consider the best j way to reinforce Australia, Mr. Attr lee added. It was far easier to send - American forces than British, and 1 this was recognised in the discussions - between the United States and Brit- - ain. The United States had sent large ; forces to Australia, but the American acceptance of that responsibility did ■ not mean any indifference on the r part of Britain or any shirking of rer sponsibilities. Britain was ready - when the need arose to run any risk i for the defence of Australia. Comf mon sense and sound strategy giust apply and support must be sent from where it was most readily available. Strength was steadily piling up under the leadership of General MacArthur, and it Japan attacked Australia she would get a warm reception. Mr. Attlee said that whenever the main engagement opened in Russia he was certain the Germans would be £ met with the resolution, fortitude and • skill that the Russians had already < displayed. Not only was Britain con- ■ tinuing to send supplies to Russia, but - large enemy forces were also held in 1 the Libyan campaign. Malta also en--1 gaged the attention of a large propor- - tion of the Luftwaffe. The possibility of an offensive from s Britain meant the Germans had to v dispose troops in order to meet this - eventuality. Every move was conditioned by transport, and the matter - of shipping was a constant anxiety. • Although immense distances made one combined General Staff impossible, the Chiefs of Staff at Washington were actually a combined General Staff, dealing in particular with the major problems of the Pacific. The Allied Nations had also exchanged staff representatives and were endeavouring to get the greatest possible co-ordination of strategy and allocation of supplies. j Mr. Attlee explained the structure • of the Joint Planning Staff, the work- | ing of the Defence Committee. The 1 existing machinery was working p smoothly and there was not the con- • slant clash which seemed to occur i in the last war between the Service t representatives and Ministers.— 8.0.W.