Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-06-04
Woodward Says
Drive Looms
On Singapore
Weather Portends
Huge Push Soon
Nv REAR ADM. CLARK II.
WOODWARD
cepyrsh, 1914 International New, SERVE

81, cepyrght 1914 IntsrusttonA News SERVE
WAsHIN GTON. June 3
though monsoon rains have
slowed down land operations II
north and central Burma during
the last two weeks. weather con
ditions in Jspanese-occupied terri
tory south of the equator is re-
; <ersed. and the cry season now
has begun in southern Sumatra
Java and the lesser Sunda Islands
In consequence. IL may be eN'
pected that Allied attacks IN the
southeast Asia sector will be
mounted in ever-increasing inten'
sity, in the near future. IN order
10 neutralize OF Seize Jap strong
holds and air bases IN lower
Burma, the Kra lsthmuS-whlch
links Burma and Thalland with
: Malaya-and Sumatra, for an as
z sault on Singapore and eventually
the Philippines.
CONTROL OF STRAITS
The capture of such bases would
give the Allies control OF the
: Malacca and Sunda stralts-the
two most important gateways be.
tween the South China Sea and
+ the Indian Ocean--snd put them
within affective bombing range
.,f7OO miles) Of Singapore.
49, The strong British fleet now
s concentrated in the Indian Ocean
would furnish the major part OF
the forces required 10 recapture
Singapore though some naval
units from the American Pacific
SYSTEMATICALLY aircraft car
overwhelmingly would assist.
Such an operation would be one
: OF the greatest strategic advances
. the Allies could make in this
area, for IL definitely would Acut
Japan's two major supply routes
, running from the home islands 10
Burma and 10 Malaga and the
Dutch Indies.
In order TO protect these vital
supply lines-severance of which
also would give Gen. Macarthur,
In New Guinea, chance to as.
sjst in blasting the enemy out OF
Borneo. Java. Sumatra ana
Malaga tincluding Singapore)--it
a believed the Japs have concen-
trated q large portion OF their
: naval strength at such key points
rs Batavia. Singapore, Saigon and
Manila, and for pstrolling the
coast Of Indo-China and China.
Z LACK ADEQUATE FLEET
II Is increasingly evident, how
over, that because of heavy losses
sustained and widely distributed
defensive feet and air units, the
laps have neither wsrships nor
blanes enough to give proper pro-
lection to the sprawling islands
IA the area between the Indian
Ocean and New Guinea.
Moreover. as the Allies hold
the initiative they can choose the
fnne. place and circumstances OF
combat and force the fight on
their weaker opponent under such
conditions as appear to he most
favorable.
Once Allied operations against
Sipgapore-in the southwesta-
fare begun, therefore, IT may be
1 4 great advantage TO launch a
Hfmultaneous offensive against
Hplsu or Guam in the central
R&ci6c with co-ordinated flank
snE operations in the New Guinea
arsa and diversionary attacks
h1ainst the Kuriles in the north
ia order TO compel the enemy TO
SCATTER his forces.
This new pattern OF Pacific war
iare seriously disturbs the Tokyo
var lords. With the knowledge
( that Gen. Macarthur already has
deceived substantial reinforce
hents in ground and air forces,
md that he is being supported by
Adm. Nimitz's ever-growing and
formidable naval force. they are
Ittery rs 10 what these two COM
Fanders may do in the next few
4onths.
I frhs opinions expressed ard The as.
(. portions msds herein are my own and
brs not 10 be construed as official or
fe6ectnI m any way the views Of the
tavy department or the naval service a.
}arse)