Detroit evening times., 1945-08-31
BY LEE VAN Alta
International News service War Correspondent
CWorld Copyngh'. 1888. All Righ's Reserved


MYTH GEN MacARTHUR'S FORCES IN YOKO-
w hama, Aug. 31-"War" Gen. Douglas Macarthur
has frequently said lis not a science, but art.
1t the art OF knowing when and where; the art of
timing
Luck-with the possible exception of his tolerance
toward Gen. George c. Kenneys lucky dice-plays
part in his planning.
He hasn't grain of superstition When things are
ready any day OF the month is all right with him to strike
the foe worried suggestion that something might 70
wrong brings the sharp reply Ridiculous, absolutely
ridiculous"
He accepts the third light on a match or spills salt
on the table without quam.
He believes that bad brush stroke a conUas,
a note the piano is the fault of the artist,
not of malicious fate So it is IN '0or -..-.--.--
Gen. Macarthur applied his brand of artistry
Nov g. 1912 to the first definite offensive operation Of
his southwest Pacific command.
MORE than 5000 fy-armed troops
WI the Owen Stanley ranges from Port Moresoy and
1t arborne move unparalleled in American military
Many Of his followers doubted that daring tactic would
succeed But MacArhurs faith the air was strong His some
foresight unquesuonaby permitted him even at
that early date to picture aerial na>ons OF the future
Only in the Resibiy rnooeu,ent Uhieh
,h9 deond n any tg",s "ay ne al, no, aa%,s no.
aG Eoe" haze not begun to sera,eh the real surface
By air in tSs ne ar % haze the same .pogeol and tactical
the of half million 500 mules BY
Employing that theory abornc troops eapcd the owen
imperial troops Buna meanwhile cutting off enemy forces
struggling along difficult Kokoda trail between the north
coast of New Guinea and Port Moresby
after eight months Of waiting and planning Mac Arthur
"A the The first in the series of bold massive
strokes" had been
American infantrymen logical followers the ground
L. squadons finally stationed the deci-
Owen Staneys. The who had promised TO
Much had happened to Douglas Macarthur
day foot Australia after his historic dash from orrcgdor
been the long fight for the desperately needed
supplies and then When the motterinR Of materials
guaranteed the equally difficult battle TO get guarantees OF ship
o bring those materials.
had the struggle keep the guerilla
forces Of the Philippines supplied and their enthudr at hsh
pitch
staff OF establishing and maintaining communications over An area
again large the United States Of assembling intel
who within striking dis
tance of Allied base, i0o0mle front
There decision of where to stage the battle:
northern Australia or southeastern New Guinea
Macarthur New from the point
extended supply lines and future strategy, repre-
sened the most practical base
DUT knew did his stan, that II the attacked
ID virtually undefended Darwin. Australia political pressure
the months plan
New Guinea would be wasted 1t gamble
he had take.
north Of New Guinea and from there the Jump to the
Philippines To allow potential political ramfcaons TO influence
his military judgment would only endanger carefully planned
timetable and the lives Of many thousands
There had been the intervening period the hght for
Milne Bay and the Battle of the Kokoda trail
Macarthur, with sound straegica Judgment had brilliantly
baIke he he defeated In
Kokoda trail realized that blocked in land
they would attempt saborne assaults Milne Bay was
With the utmost secrecy Macarthur poured nearly
Of Australian troops into Milne
WHEN sOOOrong japanese expeditouary steamed
w confidently into the they the warmest reception yet
Imperial Majestys Hea,e hound
In sharp threrdaN engagement enemy troops were an
initiated the all but destroyed by
merciIeSS aeriai bombardmcnt.
Win me Mp sun rocNnc iIo,1 me defeats OF s'uaoa.anaI