THREE-POINT PLAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 August 1943, Page 3

THREE-POINT PLAN

FOR OFFENSIVE AGAINST JAPAN SHAPED BY THE ALLIES. ACCORDING TO WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) WASHINGTON, August 10. . Action to eliminate the Japanese bases in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands is probably not far off, according to the United Press of America correspondent. He deduces from recent official utterances, including a statement by a member of the Allied High Command that strategy to crush Japan is now covered by a three-point plan. First, to seize Japanese bases in the Pacific until a ring of steel has been forged near the most important strategic centres, and then strike against Japan’s very heart. Secondly, to carry on attrition tactics against Japanese communications till the enemy finds it too costly to hold on to more distant territories. Thirdly, to keep China in the war by diverting Japanese strength till sufficient supplies can be sent to China. The correspondent adds that the planners of this strategy apparently do not contemplate either direct or indirect Russian assistance in the Pacific.

The Tokio radio, admitting the capture of Munda, new Georgia, says the latest Allied success has eliminated, for the time being, a very grave threat to Australia. To achieve this the Allies paid a disproportinately high price, the announcer said. A Japanese spokesman said Japan would make good use of her strategic position. She was preparing great new operations and looked' to the future with complete confidence.

It was disclosed here today that the three top-ranking officers directing the United States offensive in the Central Solomons had a narrow escape from disaster. Lieutenant-General Harmon and Rear-Admirals Turner and Wilkinson, jointly commanding the amphibious operations, were aboard the transport McCawley, which a Japanese submarine torpedoed and sank near Rendova Island after the American landing operations had been completed on the night of June 30. An American destroyer came along-side and rescued the officers, who were not injured,