TO HIT JAPAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 205, 31 August 1943, Page 5

TO HIT JAPAN

HUGE NAVAL FORCES PREPARATIONS IN PACIFIC (By Telegraph—Pres? Association—Copyright) Recd. 6 p.m. Washington, Aug. 29. “Huge naval task forces with a spearhead of carrier-based aircraft are poising for new pile-drive blows against the enemy in the Pacific,” declared Vice-Admiral John McCain, Deputy Chief of Naval Aviation. Elaborating this statement, the United States Navy Department disclosed that approximately a dozen new combat aircraft-carriers have been launched since Pearl Harbour, in addition to undisclosed numbers of "baby flat-tops,” which will help to smash the Japanese to complete defeat. A navy spokesman added that 275,000 naval bombing, fighting and cargo planes will be in service by the end of the year. To operate from these carriers and naval land bases the navy is training 30,000 pilots annually and building 200 lighter-than-air ships. The Washington correspondent, of the New York Times says that following the Quebec conference Pacific war

strategy will probably develop as follows:- First, General MacArthur's painful but punishingly successful campaign will continue, since it keeps 200,000 of the enemy engaged or on guard, reduces Japan’s outer defence bases, and grinds down her air and naval strength. Second, when the Japanese New Guinea and Rabaul defences crumble the conflict will spread Io the East Indies and Philippines under General MacArthur’s direction. Third, an amphibious operation, under naval direction, sooner or later, will be undertaken against Truk, the main Japanese base in the Central Pacific. Fourth, Lord Mountbatten will lead a big push through Burma when he assembles the huge army and invasion fleet necessary to ensure overwhelming superiority. Fifth, with the Aleutians again in American hands, Japan must watch for air and sea stabs from the north, particularly against her Kurile Island bases.