Detroit evening times., 1945-08-30

Macarthur made his first strategical decision to
members of his combined southwest Pacific COM
mand on the morning of March %, 1912.
Exactly 48 hours after arriving in Melbourne,
to learn of the grave military situation confront
ing the vast island continent, Macarthur issued
the broad directive which was destined to govern
all strategy in the sprawfing areas under his con-
troll for nearly two years.
1t was a daring decision, potentially costly
gamble with men and Oeopons. More than that,
ii tUds a complete reversal of the strategy already
decided upon, prior to MacArthur's arrival, by
nearly every high ranking officer in the Australian
theater of operations.
1T WAS questioned every side openly rejected from
i many quarters. On those of assigned to Gen. Mac
Arthur, his decision had electrifying effect.
Macarthur adamant. He had decided to push
the battle line nearly 1000 miles forward to tight the Jap
in jungle country naturally inherent to the Japanese
temperament and fighting ability but where the Jap least
expected Macarthur to fight
Those opposing him claimed he was stretching his
supply lines too dangerously and severing himself
from land mass.
Macarthur countered that New Guinea was a land
suited for mighty offensive operations; that his
supply lines moving north and he proposed to be
both abreast and ahead of them
With a handful of air power a smattering of troops
either unframed already bate-exhausted and with
navy which could not venture into New Guinea waters
because of the overwhelming superiority of the imperial
policy of return.
THAT decision made during the critical days
entire Pacific war The Jap still unfeered chose
bombing target AT will rowing freely through Solomon
Islands attacking northern Australia keeping
feet, the remnants Of the feet at bay.
then wbsn III. military situation looked at Iow..t
"bb, and Jap Of Auroo
Arthur talked to the Am'r'e9" "~'m" he otmo'phsrs
Si a"@ ol.s Il: rose from ms
this war;"
at the surprised press corps and without wait
ing for their continued:
Were going by killing Japanese. kill them
they and New Guinea and In the soomons
Philippines kill wherever we find them
all the Tokyo.
a th. re- going to win
"In fact land he didn't smie) here you
ride into Tokyo with IT, Stay with 20
Tokyo together. That's where I'm going, gentlemen"
THAT supreme any utterance In those
desperate days IN APRIL 1872 when the Japs the
Overwhelming odds Macarthur knew
his goal and confident he would eventually achieve iss
Then the Battle Of the Of
May 1912 Battered carrier warpanes courageouy rsked
pounded in their retreat by McArthu own bomber the enemy
strong naval bound for Port
Moreshy-was repulsed with heavy losses.
Immediately. shift New Guinea began Macarthur
self flew Port Moreby inspect the base which he
world waited during days
1912 through May and June July and August Macarthur still
Jap hammered Moresby increasing strength.
Would Macarthur move never counter
The simple fact is he could Already he styaininR
oil his bare hoW
Port Mors,by. He fighting smother plane.
tank, truck
ON MORE the early history south
~ Pacific theater than vessels unloading
supplies for Macarthur at OF the nine ports under his
command
SLOW small Australian coastal ships marshaed to run