HEAVILY OUTNUMBERED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 11, 8 October 1943, Page 5

HEAVILY OUTNUMBERED

Desperate Japanese Necessity For Conserving Planes EFFECT ON PLANS FOR DEFENCE <Hv 'telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. 1 (Received October 7, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 7. “The Japanese Air Force is already a wasting asset and its losses are not being balanced by new construction,” said Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Pierse, Air Officer Commander-in-Chief, in an interview with the New Delhi correspondent oFthe “Daily Telegraph.” He added: “The lack of some essential raw materials must be a factor and the general position must be aggravated by shortage of shipping. It can be seen from the way the Japanese are conserving their air force how desperately necessary it has become not to expose it to further losses. Our attacks have denied the Japanese the use of many advanced airfields in Burma. They have withdrawn aircraft to more distant bases in Thailand, Indo-China and Malaya, which are at present beyond our reach. This policy of playing for safety shows a very different spirit from that in which Japan entered the war.

“Like the Luftwaffe iu Europe, the Japanese Air Force is heavily outnumbered by the R.A.F. and the United States air forces in East'Asia and the Pacific, and our superiority is constantly growing. It-is most likely that Japan will soon be compelled to concentrate her aircraft construction mainly on fighters for defence. Germany employed a ratio of about 60 bombers to 40 fighters while she was on the offensive, but now the Allied attacks have forced her on the defensive, and she has reversed the ratio. We may compel Japan to do likewise. This switching of construction cannot be done quickly or easily. There will be an interim period of acute shortage and difficulty for the enemy.” . Sir Richard said he was well satisfied with the results of the British and American air offensive over Burma during the monsoon. "The cumulative effect of attacks against communications has been tremendous,” he said. “Railways have been so heavily hit that the enemy for his considerable transport needs is forced largely to rely on river craft and even sampans and xve are destroying hundreds of these a month, most of them loaded with vital supplies. Our attacks have also had an important effect on morale. Manning a river craft has become a highly dangerous occupation and it is becoming evident that the enemy is finding it more difficult to get Burmese to do the job.” , Referring to Admiral Mountbatten s command, Sir. Richard said: “Do not think because there has not been a supreme command that our forces hhye not operated under united direction. Every-

thing we have undertaken has been part of a joint plan worked out by American commanders and myself. Our advanced headquarters-are located side by side and we- know at anv given moment exactly what each other’s planes are doing.” . The correspondent adds that there is no secret about the extensive training, of parachute troons which lias been going on in India for months. The effectiveness of such troops in Sicily and New Guinea shows that in due course they will be used in this theatre against the Japanese.