HEAVY BLOWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1943, Page 4

HEAVY BLOWS

AGAINST JAPANESE IN PACIFIC MAY BE IN EARLY PROSPECT. ALSO BOMBING OF TOKIO FROM CHINA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 4. Military and naval circles believe that smashing blows are planned in the Pacific, possibly coinciding with or even preceding the eventual European offensive, reports the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times.” He adds: “However the same circles would be greatly surprised if the main Pacific show began before the last act of the European drama was in sight. Most likely the possibility for a first blow seems to rest in General MacArthur’s domain. Indeed it is a safe bet that General MacArthur will not sit still, even if he cannot manage a large-scale push against Rabaul. Other Japanese bases are tempting plums in his neighbourhood. No one in Washington expects an island to island campaign, however. These enemy bases have been greatly reinforced and the Japanese air strength has been increased recently. Therefore General MacArthur cannot take too great a risks. Naval experts are not concealing the unfortunate fact that the United States might find it difficult to spare enough aircraft-carriers for General MacArthur’s venture. The possibility is also seen of the resumption of the bombing of Tokio from China. It is believed that this was part of the strategy recently discussed by Pacific service chiefs in Washington.”