The Waikato Times MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1944 PACIFIC STRATEGY DEVELOPS

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22456, 18 September 1944, Page 2

The Waikato Times MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1944 PACIFIC STRATEGY DEVELOPS

So obvious is the general outline of Allied strategy in the Southwest Pacific that the Japanese have no excuse for evading fleet action on the score of surprise. In detail, however, the Japanese .have been outwitted, notably in the Halmahera Islands. In the drive northward the enemy expected the Americans to land in the southern islands of the group, and there the Japanese strength was concentrated. Instead, the Americans have landed on Morotai Island, at the northern tip of the group, and when they are established they will have bypassed and largely neutralised the Japanese in the south. The Japanese island base of Pelew (or Palau) also is being invaded, and this leaves only the Yap base barring the way to the Philippines. The Americans are now only 300 miles from the Philippines and General MacArthur may soon be able to enter upon that phase of the war that will ensure his promised return to Bataan. The Philippines are at the moment the most important objective in the Pacific. The firm establishment there of the Allied naval and air forces would mean that the Japanese oceanic empire would be cut in two. The Japanese fleet would be compelled to withdraw from the Indian Ocean, the Dutch East Indies, Borneo and the Celebes or risk permanent severance from its homeland. The possible course of the offensive will be from the present bases to the Philippines, to Formosa and the China coast. The British Eastern Fleet attacks on bases in the East Indies suggested that a junction with the Pacific fleets may occur in the not distant future. Though the Allied leaders no doubt know where Japanese naval strength is disposed, it is still a puzzle to the public. But it is perfectly clear that its main objective should be to keep the Americans out of the Philippines. It is estimated that about 200,000 Japanese troops are involved in the threatened envelopment in the East Indies area. Of far greater importance to the Japanese would be the loss of the rich resources in oil, rubber, tin and other materials produced in the area south-east of the Philippines. To cut sea communications between the Philippines and the China coast would be to strike a crippling blow at Japan’s whole economic system and her power to continue to wage war large scale. These are the reasons why the approach to the Philippines is being watched with consuming interest. Probably the conference of the Allied leaders at Quebec has advanced the plans for the reconquest to a stage which envisages the Japanese -homeland bereft of the empire which she seized by bold strategy and which alone made possible the dream of command of the whole of the Pacific and eastern Asia.