EFFECT IN PACIFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1942, Page 3

EFFECT IN PACIFIC

OF ALLIED SUCCESSES IN NORTH AFRICA LIKELY TO BE GREAT THE SHIPPING POSITION. NEW PROBLEMS DEVELOPING FOR JAPAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) SYDNEY, November 11. The Allied successes in North Africa will considerably affect the war in the South Pacific. This is the opinion of war commentators in both Australia and the United States. Informed American observers say that Washington is thoroughly seized of the vital importance of the South Pacific theatre and there is now no fear that it will be neglected. It is clear that for many months the United States of America has been transporting troops and equipment to Britain in preparation for an assault on France’s North African colonies. “Now that the initial invasion has been carried out a great armada of warships and merchant vessels will be released to augment the Pacific'- supply lines to Australia and New Zealand,” suggests the New York editor of the Sydney “Daily Telegraph.” Re-establishment of Allied control in the-Mediterranean would profoundly influence the Pacific war against Japan. David Lawerence, New York “Sun” columnist, says it would mean that “sea power would no longer- have to travel around the Cape of Good Hope using valuable escort ships needed for Atlantic patrols. At last the very long United Nations supply lines to Egypt, Iran, India, China and Australia will have been shortened by 7000 to 10.000 miles as the old Suez route to India is restored. Opportunity would also be provided for landing huge quantities of munitions and equipment in Yugoslavia and Greece, where local guerrilla forces could provide the necessary, manpower on the spot.” Yhe establishment of Allied land-bas-ed air power along the North African coast, dominating the Mediterranean, would enable the speedy transfer of British warships to reinforce Allied naval strengths in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This in turn would enable the movement of American warships from the Atlantic to the Pacific. With prospects of an Allied drive against Burma also considerably enhanced, Japan may be forced to reconsider her entire war strategy. Observers here feel that Japan, if she is to retrieve her position in the south-west. Pacific, must act swiftly and with even greater force than ’’She has yet mustered. An interval of a few months may see her beset with many problems along the 8000 miles front in both the Pacific and the Indian Oceans.