AIR WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1941, Page 6

AIR WARFARE

INITIAL ADVANTAGE GAINED BY JAPANESE. HOPES OF A REVERSAL IN PHILIPPINES. • (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 1 p.m.) MANILA, December 29. The Pacific war started as an air war and still remains such. With the establishment of air bases in the Philippines, Japanese air activity is increasing over all parts of the archipelago. The enemy has now obtained various points from which to escort transports and also to protect bombers with fighters. At sea Japanese aircraft have established a numerical superiority over the narrow straits, channels and seas which comprise the major zone of combat. The “New York- Times” Manila correspondent says that local military leaders are unanimously of opinion that Japan's Philippine successes, are solely due to her air superiority, after destroying or damaging the defenders’ vital airfields. It is clear that, after the experience of Luzon, underground hangars and other devices to conceal ground facilities from fifth columnists are absolutely indispensable. This does not mean that the Philippine situation is hopeless. On the. conti ary, it ds expected that assistance from America will soon re-establish the defenders’ air superiority.

A Batavia message says the number of dead as a result of the Japanese air raid on Pontianak now totals 128.