Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-05-30
The War
TODAY,
Jap Army on Kska
Facing AnnihiIatiOn
Without Navy He p
BY CLARK II. WOODWARD
L. 5. Nsvy, Retired

campaign against Attu - APP
preaching a successful con
clusion. there is heightened
speculation as 10 what further
offensive operations are in pros
pect.
The Aleutians being part Of
the vast Pacific war theater II
may be assumed that the next
Allied step may be the Ameri-
can reoccupauon Of Kiska in
order 10 deprive The japanese Of
air and submarine bases that
might be used against Alaska
and the west coast Of North
America, and 10 provide a
spr1ngboard for air alta c X 5
against Japan.
Incidentally the leaSe-lend air
route from the United States 10
the Soviet and the North Pacific
lease lend sea route viii be
made much safer when this is
accomplished
RECAPTURE OF KISKA will
be a much tougher job than
that of Attu because OF the
larger enemy garrison and more
heavily fortified positions.
However, using Attu and Am
chitka as air bases, bombers and
fighters can shuttle back and
forth in a softening-up process
assisted by bombardment from
a strong naval supporting force
prior TO the beginning of land
ing operations.
Apparently there are no planes
on Kiska TO offer resistance.
Those which attacked our naval
forces off Attu during the early
part of the week were appar-
emily sent out from the japanese
base of Paramushiru or from an
aircraft carrier al a safe distance
off-shore.
Therefore. unless strong
japanese naval force, accompa-
MED by aircraft carriers, is sent
to protect the Kiska garrison.
its ultimate defeat or annihila-
ton is assured.
The fact that no such as
sistance was given TO the Attu
garrison probably is due TO re-
cognition of the fact that Amer
lean superiority both on sea and
in the air would make an attack
too costly.
Since the battle OF Midway.
the japanese apparently have
been extremely reluctant 10
engage the U. S. Navy in any
strength. On the other hand the
American policy has been to lure
the enemy into action. II pos
sible, for a showdown fight.
AS BOTH Prime Minister
Churchill and President Roose-
welt have revealed that the
greater part of American mill
tary and sea power tother than
air forces) are in the Pacific, the
japanese are aware that new
phase of warfare is opening UP,
particularly on the sea.
Many new American war YES
sells, from giant battleships 10
smaller craft, have reported for
duty in Far Eastern waters in
recent months and their number
is Increasing rapidly. In fact, the
balance OF naval forces in the
Pacific has changed almost as
much In the last few months as
in the first few months after
Pearl Harbor.
From our point Of view, the
present naval lineup IN this
theater is excellent. Command
of the sea is gradually passing
into our hands. Always ready
for action. the American ships
are proving the Pacific eagerly
awaiting a chance 10 come 10
grips with the Nipponese"--as
Secretary OF the Navy Frank
Knox so tersely expressed Il.
MEANWHILE, the enemy
apparently is boarding his
strength for future action and
does not care TO risk II in some
losing venture, particularly as a
larger pattern Of American
strategy is beginning TO emerge
throughout the Pacific pat
tern of offensive action along the
broad pathway 10 Toxic.
American reconquest Of the
outer Aleutisns will advance The
attacking front against Japan
proper, 20 within 1000 miles.
and only $50 miles from Para
spans stronghold
just below Russias Kamchatka
peninsula.
Our 4,0o0-mile super bombers
may be able 70 use the almost
completed cir strips on both
islands for taking of 70 drop
"nementos" on Toxic, in pass
ing. on the way China for more
fuel and bombs.
With such q threat 10 the
homeland, the japanese must
spread their defenses thinly in
order 20 give protection all the
way from Psrsr1ushiro "a Burma
and eastward 70 Wake and the
Gilbert Islands.
(Note Opinions expressed and
assertions made herein are my
own and do not reject in any way
the views Of the navy depart
- 81. .a.r.1 .a-.f1.