Evening star., 1942-06-08
By CLARK LEE,

PEARL HARBOR, June 8.-The
smashing defeat imposed on
Japan's Navy by American air
and sea power in the Battle of
Midway has undoubtedly brought
much nearer the day when
Allied nations will be able to
launch an all-out offensive
against Japan.
The American triumph means
that a corner has been turned in the
second phase of the Pacific war
much sooner than many expected.
This second phase began In the
Coral Sea, after the fall of Java and
encirclement of the Philippines had
ended the first stage-War on land.
The task of the United States
then became twofold: first. to
strengthen quickly what areas re-
manned in control of the United Ma
tions from Australia through Hawaii
to Alaska second, to cut down ia
pans sea power to safeguard those
areas from attack and at the same
time prepare for the eventual often
Sive
An effective, though not decisive,
start toward this second objective
was made in the battle of the Coral
Sea. Now the Battle of Midway has
seriously crippled the japanese feet
and especially the feet air arm.
Aircraft's Role in Battles.
Aircraft played a principal part
In both the Coral Sea and Midway
operations, and a majority of the
damage done to enemy vessels was
inflicted by dive bombers and tor
pedo planes. supported by landbased
aircraft of all types.
Both battles proved the japanese
have no monopoly on tenacity and
ferocity of attacks. The Midway
fight was not hit-run engagement,
but one in which the Americans
sought and achieved decisive re-
suits by pressing home their attacks
despite opposition, disregarding
losses and driving in for death blows.
Midway again showed beyond
doubt that the American naval air
force is better trained. better
equipped. more skillful and more
daring than the japanese fleet air
ARMAND the Japanese naval air
force is greatly superior to that Of
the Japanese Army.
Our naval planes were strongly
supported by Army as we'll as Ma
rine Corps aircraft.
Midway also e-emphasized the
dominant importance of aircraft in
the Pacific war. All of Japan's
early victories were won mainly
through air supremacy and her only
severe defeats-Macassar Strait,
Coral Sea and Midway-were in
fiicted principally by aircraft.
Lesson Of Air Control.
Another lesson of Midway is that
when the United States starts mov-
ing overseas to attack Japanese
held areas and Japan itself, our
forces will have to be in position
to fight for and establish air control.
The destruction of Japanese air
craft carriers is long step in this
direction and also opens the way for
further devastating attacks against
the enemys thousands of miles
long supply lines.
Japan's attempt to drive headlong
against the Hawaiian Islands rather
than trying to cut Americas COM
munications lines to Australia at
some less vital point was undoubted-
ly influenced by realization of the
increasing strength of United Ma
tions' air poWer-that thousands of
planes being turned out in American
factories will some day be decisive
factor in smashing Japan as well as
Germany.
If the Hawaiian Islands could
have been taken, the American air
force would have been pushed back
to bases on the United States main
land, and part of the growing threat
to Japan eliminated.
The Japanese apparently hoped
to blast Midway's defenses. then
occupy the island, and with air.
planes clearing the way. move step
by step against Oahu itself.
Hoped for Serious Damage.
They also probably hoped to
damage seriously American sea