ONE ROAD TO TOKIO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1943, Page 3

ONE ROAD TO TOKIO

INVASION OF GILBERT ISLANDS STATEMENT BY ADMIRAL NIMITZ. MAJOR NAVAL ACTION EXPECTED. PEARL HARBOUR, Nov. 24. “The invasion of the Gilbert Islands is another road to Tokio. In due time we will have enough equipment and material to travel on all the roads. I am sure we will not neglect any approach, but I believe Japan will eventually be defeated from China.” Admiral Nimitz said this today in his first Press conference since last January. He added that he doubted whether Japan would hold out at the present rate till 1949. “We may expect a major naval action in the< Pacific,” he said. “The Japanese Fleet may accept engagement, and as long as its main units are intact it behoves us to maintain our strength and ensure that the engagement will be favourable. Therefore we must not disperse our fleet, thus permitting the Japanese to concentrate on any unit which is weaker than the main enemy fleet, which is scattered from the Kuriles through the Japanese home waters to the Philippines, the Netherland East Indies, the mandated islands and the Solomons.”

Admiral Nimitz expressed the opinion that the Japanese did not have advance information of the American naval operations in the Central Pacific. The Gilberts were securely in American hands, and the immediate future would be devoted to consolidation and preparing for. further attacks.

He did not know whether the Japanese in the Gilberts would fight to the end or surrender, but so far few prisoners had been taken. The enemy casualties were heavy, while the American casualties were very light on Makin and- heavier on Tarawa. They expected the Japanese would take the greater measures to defend Tarawa on which was an excellent airfield. Asked, “Where to from the Gilberts,” Admiral Nimitz replied: “Wherever the Japanese are.” Commenting on the Tokio claims of sinkings of American warships in the Solomons and Central Pacific, he said he could not understand them,, but could state categorically that they were untrue up to the present. He expected there would be strong Japanese air and submarine reaction as rapidly as they could move forces to the Central Pacific. “We are not immune from attacks, but we are prepared to meet them,” he said. “Our own submarines, which are like little liverpills—working while you sleep—are taking heavy toll of the enemy’s shipping. Indeed, I would be very unhappy if we were losing merchantmen at the rate of the Japanese losses.” A spokesman revealed that army Liberators on Monday struck against Ocean Island, west of ' the Gilberts, where heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Carrier planes attacked Millc atoll in the Marshalls.