The Waikato Times TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1944 ALLIED FORCES MEET AT SOURABAYA

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22355, 23 May 1944, Page 2

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1944 ALLIED FORCES MEET AT SOURABAYA

Three Allied commands joined hands across the south Asian coast to strike a blow at the Japanese in Sourabaya (Java), on Wednesday. The attack is important because it marks the first junctioning of the Allied naval and air forces in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It indicates also that the Japanese Navy is losing its grip on the Netherlands East Indies, or at least has not sufficient strength there to keep out the Allied task forces from the two oceans. If the enemy navy is driven out the blockade of the Indies will begin and Japan will be deprived of the rich resources of the islands. Japan still no doubt has control of the China Sea, bounded by the Philippines, Indo-China, Malaya and Borneo. To complete the blockade Allied occupation of the Philippines is necessary, and those islands are becoming more and more the focus of attention. Japan is apparently unwilling to risk a major naval clash even in defence of the Netherlands East Indies. Where the bulk of the enemy lies is still a mystery.

Vice-Admiral John Greenslade has frankly announced that the Allied strategy is to isolate the Netherlands East Indies by a drive across the central Pacific to the shores of China. This is Admiral Nimitz’s main task while General MacArthur fights his way along the fringe of the southern islands to the main objective—the Philippines. President Roosevelt has sent Mr Henry Wallace to China with a message of hope. He declares that “neither the swamps of Burma nor of the Himalayan mountains nor the Japanese Navy shall prevent America sending all possible and prompt aid to the Chinese people.” The admittedly serious position in China resulting from recently increased Japanese offensives may have the effect of putting forward the Allied plans for making direct contact \\rith China. There are two routes—through Burma and through the Central Pacific. The most effective would be the sea route to the east coast of China. Which will be first to the rescue is still a matter of conjecture.

Increasing attacks in East Indian waters, combined with the central Pacific drive, will have interesting results. If Acfrniral Nimitz’s naval and air forces reach the China coast, or become, lished in the Philippines, the Japanese fleet in southern waters will have to run the gauntlet or remain cut off permanently from the main Japanese fleet. Experience suggests that the Japanese ships will be withdrawn when the pursuit threatens to close the last escape route. Japan had, and presumably still has, warships scattered round the coast as far away as Rangoon. It is a long voyage round the peninsula of Malaya, and Allied naval and air task forces are frequently being interposed along the route. Japan will be fortunate if her warships in East Indian, Malayan and Burma waters ever return home.