Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-07-18
Dc
War Today
Allies Trimming
Spokes Of Japs
Wheel Of Defense
BY CLARK II. wooDW ARD
Rear Admiral, L. =. Navy
See Map i'm Column 81

topyrieht 1884, International News se-yl
See Map in Column 81
WHAT Is Our coat TU th0
current Southwest Pacific cam
paign
As the offensive -ulllds. the
ultimato Objective viii become
clear. In The meantime tho
Aiites apparently =fe--e---. "a
reduce Japan'S strong points
protecting Rabaul key 20 her
defense position in the Pacific,
and thereby MT az her maritime
line Of commandments
most vulnerable points outside
Of Japan Itself
JAPANS STRATEGY seems
90 be based on 3 wheel Of de-
fenSe whose Sp0koS land sea
and air communications link
the hub CRabaGn with n rim Of
strongly fortified positions. or
perimeter Of defense.
Her maritime SpokCs have
been seriously KEN d
fhoruch naval engagements and
by American submarines ffor
which she seems 70 have no ef-
fective defense and hombcrS.
So much SO. IN fact that ship
ping shortage has interfered
considerably IN the shipment of
military supplies and reinforce
ments 10 far-flung outposts,
Similarly Japan's aerial
spokes have been gradually
whitfield down by the tremen-
dous losses suffered in air bat
ties of recent weeks.
Judging from the paucity Of
air protection which the Japa-
nese have given their base at
Rabaul and from their failure TO
interfere 10 any great extent in
Allied landings on New Guinea,
japanese air power is appar-
emily weakening.
If this is true. the more will
they have 10 depend upon their
fleet to guard their vital supply
lines.
THIS. IN TURN. wifi weaken
the fleet for both offensive and
defensive purposes, and r1ay be
the means of forcing the Japa-
nese 10 a fleet action to prevent
the Allies from capturing i'm
portant bases from which lines
of communication had been cut.
Undoubtedly the American
fleet is hoping for a naval show
down with the enemy. but re-
ports indicate-and the Kula
Gulf engagement tends 10 sub
stantiate the report-that the
japanese naval forces in that
area are weak, being composed
principally of light craft and
without carriers.
In consequence, the prospects
OF a major battle are not prom
ising, at least until Rabaul is
either under actual attack or
about 10 be attacked.
Should the Allies finally sue
coed in reaching Rabaul the
enemy undoubtedly would have
TO fall back on his great naval
bastion of Truk, 500 miles 10
the north, leaving the Allies in
the dominating position in that
area.
They could hold that place
firmly, and being thus secure
could base their submarine and
other naval units there and
strike more deadly blows AZ
Japan's sea lanes than from any
other base now held.
ONCE THE CONFINED
forces consolidated their posi-
tions and occupied Rabaul, an
advance farther northward
toward Truk would be in order.
provided the Allies desired 10
proceed that far
Thus would require a prodig-
los expedition.
II Truk once fell into Allied
hands. however, the recapture
of Guam 900 miles Distant
would be facilitated. Guam. the
Marianas and the Bonni Islands
stretching 200 miles TO the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the west
ern flank Of the direct 2,100-
mile route from Truk 10 Toxic.
THE OFFENSIVE power Of
the Allies has increased SO as
tonishinEly In recent months
that the ultimate attainment Of
their detectives is assured.
The question. however, n
when they VIII be powerful
enough 10 drive StraiEh Z
through Jspan's island positions
Or take them bv leap frog p
Jumps depends entirely upon
the rapidly with which The
strength Of the American fleet
in the Pacific Is built UP and
sufficient shipping made avail
able for the transport Of troops
and supplies.
Cvo7E-TS, opinion, s4p-.ssea s-e
the assertions rHdt fr-efr ere my own
ard are not 'r ts constr Is1 - DfNcia
Cr rsfertrg M srE vEH ~ views -
the navy department O. ne r6ybl seTstce
81 large