OCEAN BASES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 April 1943, Page 3

OCEAN BASES

DEVELOPMENT IN PACIFIC AMERICANS & JAPANESE BOTH BUSY. COMBAT MAY COME LIKE TROPICAL STORM. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, April 29. A network of military and aviation trails and strongpoints is being steadily created by the United States across the Pacific, which is being turned into an ocean of fortresses against Japan.

Japan on her side is equally busy, and Walter Farr, of the London “Daily Mail,” who has just completed a tour of American bases, says: “Evergrowing forces, American and Japanese, are preparing for a showdown, each wrapped in a veil of military secrecy.” Farr, who flew from island to island, tells how coral reefs have been transformed by flying squads of American technicians into air bases. He says that the operations are of great significance, first, because they mark an important phase in the Pacific battle, and, secondly, because they will revolutionise post-war air travel. The area has been developed more in one year of war than in a century of peace. “One could call it the battle of 3000 islands,” says ■ Farr, “for there are at least that number in the operations zone. The process of land, air and sea fortifications is developing with increasing tempo. On their side of the line, the Japanese are burrowing and scooping into coral and volcanic rock, fortifying every usefully-situated atoll and bringing up large numbers of weapons, especially bombers. On their side of the line, the Americans are making counter moves. The public has got the idea from recent communiques that the Pacific -war is meandering along with an occasional air raid, but there is no meandering in this ‘mystery one,’ where each side prepares for decisive battles.” Fan’ says that a ferocious combat may come with the speed of a tropical storm.

He concludes by saying: “This Is the most astounding of all war fronts. Developments here will change the world beyond the imagination of most of us. Australia and New Zealand will come into their own. I would not be surprised to see a tremendous postwar boom in these countries.”

SEVERE DAMAGE DONE TO TWO JAPANESE SHIPS. BOMBED IN ARAFURA SEA. SYDNEY, April 29. Two cargo ships in the Arafura Sea have been severely damaged by Allied bombing attacks. The ships were 90 miles north of Dobo yesterday, when bombers attacked at mast height. Today’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters says: “A direct hit and a close miss with 5001 b bombs were scored on the stern of a 2000-ton vessel, and two near-misses on one of 1200 tons. Both ships were machine-gunned and left stationary in the water. Fire broke out 1 on the deck of the smaller.” Seven Zeros attacked an Allied heavy bomber on reconnaissance over Wide Bay, New Britain. They were driven off, and our bomber completed its mission.

Other offensive reconnaissance raids were made yesterday on Dyaul Island. New Ireland, and on the Saidor and Finschhafen areas, in northern New Guinea.

The sole Japanese offensive effort reported in the communique was a night attack by a single plane on Morobe harbour, the most westerly point occupied by the Allies on the north New Guinea coast. Four bombs caused neither damage nor casualties.

MUST BE STRENGTHENED

GENERAL MACARTHUR’S FORCES.

WASHINGTON, April 29

“If the Japanese are given time to dig in, the war against them may last from 10 to 20 years, or go on forever,” declared Senatoi' Chandler, chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee. “General MacArthur’s forces must be strengthened. It is possible they do not possess even sufficient bombers and fighters to meet the minimum requirements for stopping a further Japanese southward drive.” AIR & SEA ATTACKS ON ENEMY ISLAND BASES. LONDON, April 29. American aircraft in the South-West Pacific have made further attacks on Japanese bases. Extensive damage was done in the Gilbert Island group and installations on Shortland Island in the Northern Solomons and at Gila, in the Central Solomons, were also attacked. American surface craft bombarded Japanese positions in the Aleutians.