BURMA ROAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 39, 17 February 1943, Page 5

BURMA ROAD

VITAL TO ALLIES PROBLEM OF SUPPLIES FOR' CHINA (By Telegraph—Preae Association—Cnpyrichtf (Recd. 11 p.m.) New York, Feb. 16. The New York Times’ Chungking correspondent, commenting on reports from America that 500 bombers would be sufficient to enable China to drive out the Japanese within six months, says: "Informed circles here express the opinion that the defeat of Japan will require a major aerial, naval and land campaign comparable to the war against Germany. Furthermore, since the United Nation* are not prepared at present to conduct the war against Japan on such a large scale, it Is certain that the defeat of Japan will lequire a great deal more than six mirths."

It is pointed out that the loss of Burma and the consequent inadequate transport to China necessitates much tedious preliminary work before an offensive can be launched with 500 planes. The Allies could knock out the effective Japanese air force in this theatre and could lay the ground work for a decisive push against Japan, but it Is recognised that the ultimate victory required foot soldiers and ships to occupy the home Islands and destroy the Japanese war .machine. These troops and supplies cannot enter China by sea, and there is still no substitute for the Burma Road, whose loss was a major blow to the Allied side.

“The Burma Road must be retaken at any cost, after which the United Nations will still be a long way from Tokio. The only safe way of reckoning 4he length of the war is to add planes to soldiers and then divide by human spirit.”