AMERICAN NAVY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1933, Page 8

AMERICAN NAVY

MANOEUVRES IN THE PACIFIC

CONCLUSION OF OPERATIONS

SAX FRA.XOISCO, March 20. The great American naval manoeuvres in the Pacific ended to-day. For a week practically the whole of the Pacific and Atlantic fleets have been engager] with the problem of an attack by “an enemy unknown.” Two hundred and twelve ships, 236 aeroplanes, and 39,000 officers ancr men to--> part.

Th e development of the idea involved much activity among the islands 0 f the Pacific, including those for which holds a mandate. The operations concluded with a great spectacular aid raid <bv the “enemy” on the naval! bases in Puget Sound. California.

Vice-Admirri F. Clark was in command of the “Black” fleet. f[is object was to capture Hawaii and thence launch a thr>’st at the mainland. Admiral L. McNnmoe commanded the defend'tig force. Admiral Mrhnn wtus umpire.

The “Black” strength lay chiefly in the air, b”t mnar'etlv the attempt to land in Hawaii failed. Doubt is evnresspd whether the enemy’s air raiders, protected only by jriiisfcrs, wore sufficientlv siron" to demolish Ran Francisco, Los Angeles, and S n Pedro.

It, is questioned, moreover, whether aeronlanp cewfi-rs even pretjuminr enpturo of Hawaii as a base, could steam 2100 irn’es and sucre r.fullv tw L- 1 « a strong battle, forc, e defending California. Xavnl and military men, in comment, ing on th* m •nceuvres. find, rea.-ons, however, for strengthening the .American forces on land and flea., . and for improving the. baf.es in fhe Pacific.