Evening star., 1942-05-17
Text of Army-Novy Review of First 5 Months of War

vi bCSCIllbCl u AOHA, "AAAAS
diplomatic negotiations were in
progress in Washington. the
japanese made series of sur
prise air attacks on naval vessels
and military and naval installa-
tions in and near Pearl Harbor,
T. H. These attacks resulted In
the sinking of several naval yes
sells and serious damage to sew
eral others. In addition, a number
of Army and Navy combat planes
were destroyed at various air
fields in Hawaii, and many build
ings, including barracks, hangers
and repair shops, were wrecked.
While these attacks were still
In progress and in accordance
with joint plans, the Army and
Navy took immediate steps to
meet the situation. A considerable
portion OF the Navy was then en-
gagged, as 1t had been for several
months. in conveying American
vessels carrying troops and sup
plies to our outlying bases and
supplies to other countries under
the provisions of the Lease-Lend
Act. The existence OF a state Of
war required a strengthening Of
these conveys and in some cases
the use of Army bombers to fur
nish additional protection.
Convoy Goes to Australia.
Shortly after the attack on
Pearl Harbor. a large force of
Japanese land-based aircraft
bombed the Philippine Islands.
This attack had been expected
in the event of war and, as a
security measure, steps had been
taken by the Army to reinforce
the Philippine garrison in trained
troops and modern materiel prior
to December 7. These reinforce
ments had been under way since
late spring of 1941, and between
August and the outbreak of the
war sizable augmentations in air
craft, modern artillery, and tanks
had been sent.
Further reinforcements were on
the high seas en- route when the
attack came and these transports
were ordered to alter course for
Australia. Proceeding under
naval escort they arrived safely
and formed a nucleus for the
American forces subsequently
dispatched to that country.
We had several small outposts
In the Western Pacific which
were held by slender defense
forces made up entirely of Navy
and Marine Corps personnel.
These included the Islands of
Midway, Wake and Guam. After
a gallant resistance the defenses
of Wake were overcome by the
enemy. Guam, after a similar
gallant defense, also fell into
enemy hands. Midway Island
still remains In our possession
Outposts Strengthened.
-Four days after the japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor, Ger
many and Italy declared war
upon the United States. This
Immediately involved the Nation
in a conflict global in extent and
involving strategic considera-
tions unique in the history of
this country. 1t necessitated the
immediate garrisoning on a war
basis of outposts extending from
Alaska to Australia in the Pacific
Ocean and from Iceland to South
America in the Atlantic.
During the first three weeks
OF the war, and in conformity
with previous plans, approx
mately 100000 American troops
were moved to battle stations,
many of them thousands of miles
distant, across the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans, under naval
escort, through submarine in
tested waters. Others went to
our island bases in the Atlantic
and Pacific, to the Canal Zone
and to Alaska.
A primary factor in the rapid
movement of large numbers OF
troops and supplies overseas was
the functioning of the ports of
embarkation which had been
established prior to the begin
ming of the war. Organized for
the purpose of expediting over
seas shipments, these ports Of
embarkation were handling,
even prior to December 7, ton
mage greater in volume than the
vast amount required during the
World War.
Also, careful staff planning
and the efficient cooperation of
the entire American railroad
system permitted rapid move
ment within the United States
of thousands Of troops by rail
from training areas in the CEN
trail part to strategic points on
both coasts. In addition, there
existed the urgent requirement
Of maintaining channels of sea
and air communications through
out the world in order that
preparations for offensive action
could be undertaken.
Philippines in State of Siege.
Immediately becoming the
focus of interest from the Amer
lean viewpoint, the defense of
the Philippine Islands presented
a complicated problem. Located
upon Japan's doorstep, within
bombing range by land-based
aircraft from Japanese bases on
the coast of China and Formosa,
at a distance easily susceptible