JAP. AIR POWER GROWS IN PACIFIC

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 124, 28 May 1942, Page 8

JAP. AIR POWER GROWS IN PACIFIC

BUT ACTION LAGS

Blow At Australia May Be Expectcd Soon

Ppoclal ,Mi.|i ;,li.,n ( ~,r, n( | f . n i. I iviril I 'iv..., .\,-iiri,it j(,n.-_( ~||\ | j K |, i, TUr - nr " 1 "- SVDNKV. this day. Evidence accumulates of the growth i>l Japanese air power in the South-west I'acilic. yet the enemy ivlrains from embarking on an\ heavy air olfcn.-ive. The initia''V ;il, " H> moment stays with the Allies. However, those responsible lor the Allied preparedness are taking i' ll ri-ks. Orders have been given lor a policy more active and vigilant than when the northern air war uas at its height. A heavy Japanese blow may come Poiiii. Some commentators believe ibat the strain of maintaining plane replacements and supplies, plus the preoccupation with the Chinese front, have caused a diminution of Japanese activity, in the South-west. J'acitie Others believe that the .Japanese are conserving their strength lor a major attempt to cut the Allies' I' lcilie supply line. This involves at j lea - t Ihe oceiipa lion of Ihe Xew . lb brides and &j,>vv Caledonia, possibly Willi eventual deeper thrusts Inio the I'acilic against Fiji and even Samoa. Invasion of North Solomons If American reports that a great. Japanese batt'c Meet is now ba-ed in the mandated Marshal' Islands are a •curate, then the enemy forces arc v.'ell disposed for such a move. When the enemy occupied the Northern Solomons, Japanese soldiers told the natives that, they would be ready to continue their southward drive in two months. That time has almost elapsed. Meanwhile the enemy has been forth,vlng his bases and adding to his olfensive strength. The Allied air iorees have dealt, out some hard Knocks, but these have not been sufficiently heavy to deflect the Japanese from their main purpose. Japan has made no secret that the cutting of the America-Australia supply line is a prime part of her Pacific strategy. Following the occupation of the Northern Solomons the Japanese radio claimed that the heavy bomber supply route from the United States to the eastern Australian coast was already menaced, and the supply of these important offensive weapons Jeopardised, but planes have continued to arrive in good numbers. Japan must move still further south and still deeper into the Eastern Pacific to make good her boast. Heavy Increase of Fighters The most significant recent development. in the northern air war is the heavily increased numbers of fighters being employed bv the Japanese. In this week's Allied raids on Lae and flabaul our bombers were intercepted by packs of 15 to 17 Zeros of the newest type. This increased number of fighter planes may indicate the Japanese recognition of their failure to protect their bases by other defensive means. It may also mean that they are planning early new offensive operations in whlcn combat planes, such as fighters and dive-bombers, must play an integral part. "No Ground for Complncency" "There is no ground for complacency," writes the Sydney Morning Herald war correspondent. "In this air war the enemy seems to have endless supplies of aircraft easily available. Furthermore, these planes are every bit the equal of ours and often superior to ours." In six days Japanese aircraft have made no daylight raids on any Southwest Pacific objective. Their normal policy Is to escort bombers with numbers of fighters. The Allied policy has been to send out bombers unprotected. ' Allied bomber pilots are almost invariably called upon to become fighter pilots in order to protect themselves and get their valuable machines home, says the same Sydney Morning Herald writer. "Inevitably there are losses of fine aircraft and fine crews."

Air strength and combined sea and air strength are essential to the successful defence of the remaining Allied bases in the South-west Pacific and the gathering offensive power within those bases. Australia's recognition of this fact is indicated in the answer given by Mr. Curtin to a Press question whether maintenance in Australian shipbuilding and aircraft production industries would take precedence over new construction. Mr. Curtin answered that maintenance work in both Industries would be unsatisfactory without a constructional core. The aircraft production and shipbuilding programmes were basic.

From other sources it has been learned that the Australian Government desires skilled aircraft production and shipbuilding labour and the materials to be used in keeping operational strength at a maximum.

Australia in retaliating against Japanese aggression must employ the weapon being brandished at her