POSITIONS IMPROVED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 November 1943, Page 3

POSITIONS IMPROVED

IN SPITE OF ENEMY RESISTANCE. REPORTED BY ADMIRAL NIMITZ. NEW YORK, November 23. Admiral Nimitz reports that the United States forces have improved their positions on Makin and Tarawa. Considerable enemy ground resistance is being encountered, and the Americans are making an all-out effort to extend their beach-heads before the Japanese can assemble forces for a counter- ■ attack. The American landings were made on several beaches, and they continue to be supported by a naval bombardment of the Japanese positions and powerful aerial cover. Little further information is expected from Admiral Nimitz till the offensive crystallises. While the enemy has apparently put up some aerial opposition to the American landings there are no reports of any attempted naval interference.

Abemama, where the latest landing was made, lies south-east of Tarawa, which is the main port and air base of the Gilberts. Naval commentators say the American offensive will have the effeet of splitting the Japanese air and sea power. While formerly the Japanese were able to concentrate warships and planes at Rabaul, they must now spread their strength between the south and central Pacific. The present operations are regarded as the opening of a major Allied offensive to cut the sea communications between Japan and her conquests nortn and north-west of Australia. Some American observers predict an early invasion of New Britain by General M.acArtnur’s rorces to .synenronise with the Gilberts campaign.

The “New York Times” says: “The campaign aims to pierce the shield round Truk and clear the seas which guard this powerful base. If we can seize Rabaul and establish ourselves in the Gilbert and Marshall groups we will have cut off the whole southern corner of Japan’s defences and advanced our fighting line 1000 miles toward Tokio. The timing of the assault against the Gilberts suggests that the campaign against Rabaul is nearing a climax.”

The official spokesman at Admiral Nimitz’s headquarters revealed that the operations in the central Pacific are under the personal direction of ViceAdmiral Raymond Spruance. President Roosevelt’s eldest son, Colonel James Roosevelt, was among the troops who landed on Makin.