FURTHER WITHDRAWAL OF U.S. ARMED FORCES FROM THE PACIFIC

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 May 1949, Page 5

FURTHER WITHDRAWAL OF U.S. ARMED FORCES FROM THE PACIFIC

WASHINGTON, April 30 (Recd. 10 p.m.).—A new order affecting the withdrawal of United States armed forces from the Pacific has been issued.

The Air Force today ordered its Pacific Air Command to be dissolved by June 1. The Air Force’s last remaining combat force in the Central Pacific, the 31st. Fighter Group, wiil b e transferred from Hawaii to the mainland of the United States. The Navy in recent months has been sharply reducing its Pacific strength. Many warships have either been transferred to the Atlantic or placed in reserve. The Navy, when it finishes its transfer programme, will have left in the Pacific only two large carriers, three small carriers, six cruisers, 53 destroyers and destroyerescorts and 32 submarines. General McArthur’s Far East air strength will not be affected by discontinuance of the Pacific Air Command, but his one strategic reconnaissance group has been ordered back to the United States. This will leave him with one medium bomber, one light bomber, the 68th. lighter group, one all weather fighter and troop carrier group. Indications are that General MacArthur’s Army strength will not be cut. He now has under him 120,000 ground troops, including four combat divisions. The Army has been keeping only a small number of troops in the Pacific outside japan and Korea.