HEADQUARTERS IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 19, 17 October 1942, Page 7

HEADQUARTERS IN NEW ZEALAND

U.S. Army Air Force In South Pacific FORWARD BASES (By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright.) WASHINGTON, October 15. The Secretary of War, Mr. Stimson, announced that American forces arc now stationed in New Zealand. Mr. Stimson also said that substantial United States Army forces were now in the New Hebrides, Fiji and other points where their presence was undisclosed previously. All these forces were under the command of the Air Force MajorGeneral Millard Harmon, who has his headquarters in New Zealand, but spent most of his time at bis advanced base in New Caledonia. The army and navy forces in this area were fighting in the closest possible co-operation under the unified command of the navy. [Previously the only American air forces officially reported in the area of the South Pacific Command have been under the navy and Marine Corps.] Negro Flyers Ready.. Mr. Stimson disclosed that the first negro flying squadron was nearly ready for overseas combat duty. He did not say where it will be sent. Mr.' Stimson referred to the mounting activities of American airmen in co-operation with the British in Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean, and the army patrol operations in China and India. Tanks and motor-vehicles were . assembled in Eritrea, and from there were forwarded to the British armies in North Africa, and there was a series of landing fields through the heart of Africa for planes en route to India, Egypt, China, and Russia. Mr. .Stimson also disclosed that American supply troops in the Persian Gulf are hastening the flow of equipment to the Russians in the Caucasus. Within a few days after the occupation the army built an airfield on Andreanov Island in the Aleutians, which 12 days later was used by medium and heavy bombers and fighters, and thus changed the entire picture in the Aleutians, providing an immense base from which the Japanese on Attn, Aggattu, and Kiska can be successfully attacked and making the Japanese position there extremely hazardous.

[A recent United States communique reported that Attu and Aggattu, in the westernmost Aleutians, appeared to have been abandoned by the Japanese occupation forces, according to the evidence in air reconnaissance.]'