Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1942. MAKING HEADWAY AGAINST JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 January 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1942. MAKING HEADWAY AGAINST JAPAN

GREAT deal of controversy is raging at present in Britain, parts of the overseas Empire and the United States with regard to the relative demands made on Allied resources by the European and Pacific war theatres. Much of this controversy, however, is inconclusive. It is impossible, for instance, to do anything else than agree with the view expressed by Mr J. L. Garvin, in the London “Observer,” that: “We cannot grapple with Japan by weakening our hands against Hitlerism,” but broad generalisations of this kind lead to no very practical conclusion. Obviously the foundations of Allied strength in the Atlantic, Western Europe and the Mediterranean must not be weakened, but at the broadest view it is not less necessary that powerful and resolute efforts should be made at least to stem Japanese aggression.

Although it does not by any means stand alone, the brilliantly successful, attack made by air and naval forces on a Japanese invasion fleet in Macassar Strait in itself goes far to demonstrate that-the Allies are far from being inclined to set narrow limits to their efforts in the South-Western Pacific. The action in Macassar Strait and its results are on a number of grounds noteworthy and encouraging.' The heavy losses suffered by the Japanese evidently -were accounted for largely by a substantial reinforcement of the Allied air and naval forces. American cruisers and destroyers and Flying Fortress bombers took an important part in the attacks in ’which, as information stands at time of writing, ten Japanese ships were sunk, six more (including an aircraft-carrier) probably sunk, and a further seventeen damaged.

Apart from greater developments to follow in good time, an increasing reinforcement of Allied air formations and light naval, forces may greatly improve the outlook in. Malaya, the Netherlands East Indies and other vital areas. Profiting by her early naval successes, including that gained in her treacherous attack on Pearl Harbour and in the later sinking of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse, Japan has been able to invade a number of these areas in a strength greatly superior to that of the defending forces. The dangers thus raised in areas as far apart as Burma and the island outposts of Australia stand out verv clearly.

From the outset, however, it has been apparent that the vast extension of Japan’s sea communications lays her open in a serious degree to weakening attack. A good many of her transports had bee'n sunk before the Allies launched their smashing onslaught in Macassar Strait. If they are able to build up their air and naval, forces on an adequate scale, the Allies will be well, placed to intensify their attacks on enemy communications and may hope at the same time to reduce the pressure on their hard-pressed land forces and to checkmate the enemy attempt to establish a chain of air bases outflanking and encircling Singapore.