SIGNS OF STIFFFEINING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 23, 2 March 1942, Page 4

SIGNS OF STIFFFEINING

THE Pacific war zone is reaching an interesting stage. There are definite signs of Japanese faltering. No longer are there accounts of the irresistible thrusts west and south. The vast energy upon which the Japanese had relied is showing signs of weakening and slowing up. From Burma comes the first heartening news cf the campaign, since the roads w.i'C reported to be 'black with Japanese troops. The superiority of the R.A.F. and the American 'Eagle' Squadron is being- steadily asserted. Saturday produced the finest report to date, when no less than thirty enemy 'planes were accounted for in the cencentrated raid upon Rangoon. To lhe south-east, the massing of the Jap. forces for the invasion of Java,, is already showing signs of a hesitancy which .vas entirely absent in her previous operations. The densely populated island, is not. going to-be the easy proposition, whic i many of the Nipponese heads so fondly imagined, und may well be the turning point in the: whole ambitious campaign. It is estimated by one authority that Java alone could put half a million fighting men in the field in an emergency, and the world acknowledges that that emergency is —now. The greatest feature arising from the swaying fortunes of the Pacific war however, is undoubtedly the growing strength of the Allied air power. The reason for this is the steady infusion of American men and supplies to the Pacific war theatre, where they are most urgently needed. This quiet reinforcing of vital points has been going (m ever since the great democracy Avas precipitated into Avar, and the force and efficacy of her striking power has yet to be fef; by the Japanese. The tide of events to-day is telling the tale and after the drastic setbacks of the last two months we may confidently look forward to a steady stiffening of the Allied defence until the time is ripe for a more belligerent attitude, and the adoption of the definite offensive a<''a; : Rst ilie arrogant forces of the Island of Nippon.