Evening star., 1943-11-18
Japanese Still Able to Muster
Formidable Pacific Battle Fleet
BY C. YATES MCDANIEL,

BY C. YATES MCDANIEL,
Associated Press War Correspondent.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC ALLIED
HEADQUARTERS, Nov. 1s.-Bat.
tered and bested in every actor
since the early phases OF the first
Solomons campaign, the japanese
Navy could still oppose any major
move in the Western Pacific with
4 formidable battle fleet.
A tabulation Of published Allied
claims covering all major wa,
theaters and engagements in the Pa
cif1c reveals ITO Japanese warships-
destroyers or larger-have been sunl
and another 155 damaged. -
In December, 1941, Japan was
known to have approximately zoe
vessels in these categories in service
or nearly completed. While at first
glance Japan would appear to have
no fleet left at all, numerically hel
losses have been primarily cruisers
and destroyers-warships that can
be most quickly replaced.
Battleship Strength Superior.
Despite heavy and unbalancing
Jap losses, an analysis Of all avail
BILE information, both before and
since Pearl Harbor, leads to the con-
clusion-which doesn't necessarily
reflect ofdcial opinion-that the
third greatest seapower could face
a showdown today with a battle
fleet which would compare with
what Japan had in December, l94l,
like this:
Battleships-Qualitatively. If not
quantitatively, slightly superior.
Aircraft carriers Numerically
about equal, but definitely inferior
in battle potential because Of the loss
Of her best carriers in the Midway,
Coral Sea and Solomons actions last
year, forcing her to resort to slower,
less battleworthy converted ships.
Heavy cruisers-Strength reduced
about one third.
Light cruisers-Recent construc-
ton has not equalized war losses, but
has increased speed and hitting
power.
Destroyers-Shrinkage from IS to
so per cent.
Seaplane carriers-Approximately
the same.
10 Battleships at Start Of War.
At the outbreak of the war Japan
had 10 battleships in service and 3,
or possibly 4, under construction.
The Japanese naval program be-
tween 1887 and 1910 provided for
building additional "armored
ships" These have been variously
described as battle cruisers, aircraft
carriers and heavy cruisers. The
last description is probably correct.
Japan started the war with Q,
possibly II, aircraft carriers, of
which were flrst-class vessels. She
also had 9 large seaplane carriers. in
addition to q number of smaller
shpis, described as tenders.
Identified Japanese cruisers to-
tailed 35 in 1941. OF these, probably
16 were heavy ships carrying 8-inch
guns. At least four or five more ves-
sells, probably more lightly armed
ships, were then under construction
There were only 108 known jap
anese destroyers two years ago, but
more were believed to have been laid
down in tn late 30s.
Other Naval Craft.
Japan also had II or more torpedo
boats and at least 10 minesweepers-
500 to 300 ton craft-which looked
ike they were capable Of performing
some Of destroyer's duties.
The following tabulation of Allied
claims OF damage inflicted on the
japanese fleet is compiled from off,
cial communiques, press releases and
statements covering all Pacific op-
erations from the start of the war
to January. 1912, and all operations
from or in the Southwest and South
Pacific commands, which include the
battles of the Coral Sea. of Midway
and initial Japanese landings in
the Aleutians. They do not include
other North and Central Pacific on
eratlons since January. 1912. nor