PREPARATIONS CERTAIN TO GO THROUGH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 203, 28 August 1943, Page 5

PREPARATIONS CERTAIN TO GO THROUGH

R.ecd. 11 p.m. Washington. Aug. 27. Lord Louis Mountbatten has arrived for conferences with American naval and military authorities. The Associated Press learns that Lord Louis will visit Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek before launching a campaign against Burma. Lord

Mountbatten’s staff has not yet been chosen but is expected to include a British chief of staff, an American deputy chief of staff and probably an American deputy commander-in-chief. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent says: “Lord Mountbatten’s visit gave observers the distinct impression that a grand offensive against Burma in October is the most fanciful kind of wishful tninking. Lord Mount-batten wants the offensive to be a sure thing, not a gallant, illtimed gamble, for which reason he is carefully mustering the forces necessary completely and thoroughly to smother the Japanese. There is a possibility of earlier local actions in Burma, designed to weep the Japanese jittery and off balance, but a big push is unlikely until the Allies are ready to deliver a knock-out.

The New York Times points out that Lord Mountbatten must seek a complete understanding with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, since China will have to furnish a good deal of manpower for the Burma campaign. Lord Mount batten impressed Americans favourably and seemed to personify vigour and quickness of thought.