PLANES AND SHIPS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 122, 26 May 1942, Page 5

PLANES AND SHIPS

JAPAN'S GREAT NEED

Nursing Strength To Meet Heavy Losses United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, May 25. Japan is beginning to feel the pinch of an aircraft shortage, particularly of bombers, says the Daily Mail's' Australian correspondent. Noel Monks, who adds that this information comes from a source. Japanese plane production is estimated to be below 600 a month, while the losses on all fronts in five months are believed to be about 2000. The Japanese have never launched a real air blitz against Australia and Pacific bases, he says. All the attacks have been on a small scale compared with the assaults on Malaya, Singapore, and Java. The enemy, instead of trying to knock out Port Moresby, has nibbled at this base, and the Allies, as a result, have been able to build up their strength. This, he adds, surely indicates that the Japanese have been nursing their strength in this zone, knowing that because of the heavy calls in China and Burma their reserves in the South-west Pacific would have to be limited. The enemy undoubtedly has more air power in the South-west Pacific that he has not yet used, but one thing is certain, that he can never move "against Australia without complete air superiority. If the Japanese did not know that before they know it now. after the Coral Sea Battle.

The Japanese are making great efforts to raise hundreds of ships formerly belonging to the /- Hies and themselves, which were sunk at Hongkong Malaya and Singapore, and in the Netherlands East Indies and Philippines, says the Dailv Mirror. They are facing up to their shipping losses and are planning a prolonged war. The shipbuilding capacity of Japan and her occupied bases has increased enormously, but it will never reach the sinkings which the Japanese will have to face when the Allied air forces can hit back effectively. The Japanese reckon it will take the Allies at least two years to concentrate sufficient shipping in if P ac ific to hit back properlv, whatever is the outcome of the European \\ ar. They hope in that period to 1 aise, repair and build enough ships tnelr communications and offensive strength. They are not reckoning °n the enormous capacity of the Allies dockyards.