ADMIRAL’S CONFIDENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22204, 25 November 1943, Page 5

ADMIRAL’S CONFIDENCE

ON WAY TO TOKIO NAVAL BATTLE SOON ’ (Cnitei, press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) PEARL HARBOUR, Nov. 24 "The invasion of the Gilbert Islands is another road to Tokio. In due time we shall have enough > equipment and material to travel all roads. lam sure we shall not neglect any approach, but I believe Japan will eventually be defeated from China.’’ Admiral C. W. Nimitz, Command. er-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet, said this today in his first press conference since January. He added that he doubted whether Japan would hold out at the present rate until 1949. “We may expect a major naval action in the Pacific,” Admiral Nimitz said. “The Japanese Fleet may accept engagement and as long as its main units are intact .it behoves us to maintain our strength to ensure that the engagement will be favourable. Therefore, we must not disperse our fleet, thus permitting the Japanese to concentrate on any unit which is weaker than the main enemy fleet, which is scattered from the Kuriles through Japanese home waters to the Philippines, the Netherlands East Indies, the mandated islands and the Solomons.” In American Hands

Admiral Nimitz expressed the opinion that the Japanese did not have advance information of American naval operations in the Central Pacific. The Gilbert Islands were securely in American hands. The immediate future would be devoted to consolidation and preparing further attacks.

He said he did not know whether the Japanese in the Gilberts were fighting to the end or surrendering, but so far few prisoners had been taken. The enemy casualties were heavy, while the American casualties were very light on Makin and heavier on Tarawa. They expected the Japanese to take greater measures to defend Tarawa, on which there is an excellent airfield.

Asked, “Where to from the Gilberts?” Admiral Nimitz replied: “Wherever the Japanese are.” Japanese Claims Denied Commenting on Tokio claims of the sinkings of. American warships in the Solomons and the Central Pacific, Admiral Nimitz said he could not understand them, but he could state categorically that they were untrue up to the present. He anticipated strong Japanese air and submarine reaction as rapidly as they could move forces* to the Central Pacific.

“We are not immune from attacks, but we are prepared to meet them,” said Admiral Nimitz. “Our own submarines, which are working while you sleep, are taking a heavy toll of the enemy’s shipping. Indeed, I would be very unhappy if we were losing merchant ships at the rate of the Japanese losses.”