Japan's Air Strength In The Pacific
pp. 35-36 · Read in the full issue
(From Our Special Representative)
Canberra, Oct. 12.
IN despatch received from London by the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom (Sir Ronald Cross) particulars are given of the opposing forces in the Pacific war theatre.
It is estimated that Japan has some 4,000,000 men under arms, of whom between 750,000 and 1,000,000 are engaged in China and 500,000 are stationed on the Manchurian front. The rest are;— (1) Garrisoning the Japanese mainland and the occupied countries, e.g., Indo china, Malaya, Siam, NEI, Borneo, &c. (2) Fighting the forces of the United Nations on the defences of the outer perimeter. Some experts reckon that in the 12 months up to the capture of Lae on September 18 the Japanese lost 50,000 highly trained troops in the fighting in the islands.
SOME particularly interesting informa tion relating to Japan’s air force is contained in the despatch, as follows: “Great secrecy surrounds the Japanese air arm, which is divided into two com mands, under naval and military control, respectively. In the summer of 1941 an unofficial estimate gave the air strength as 1,667 army air force planes, with first-line strength 797, and 2,000 naval air force planes, with first-line strength of 1,000.
“Aircraft production in Japan is evi dently high, in spite of losses. An over all estimate to the end of June, 1943, was above 4,000, and first-line strength is unofficially reckoned as 3,000 plus. Ac cording to US Rear-Admiral De Witt (21/9/43), who estimated Japanese plane production at 750 per month at least, they ‘show an ability to replace losses which is somewhat astounding.’
“In the South-west Pacific Japan has lost within the last 14 months important bases in (1) the Solomons, e.g., Guadal canal and Munda on New Georgia; (2) Papua, e.g., Buna and Gona; (3) New Guinea, e.g., Salamaua and Lae.
‘‘Her air forces are still operating from bases in (1) Dutch New Guinea; (2) Rabaul, in New Britain, which has three airfields, Lakunai, Vunakanau and Rapopo; (3) the Shortland islands; (4) the Celebes, e.g., the airfields at Ken dari and Macassar; (5) Timor.
“The large numbers of Japanese air craft shot down in recent months (94 out of 120 over the Solomons on June 17, 48 in an air battle over Darwin on June 28, 300 during one week in August over Wewak airfield) show that Japan is still fully capable of further defensive and offensive action in this area.
“While Japan is fighting alone on a
.shrinking defence line, the combination of the United Nations, unequalled in any other sphere—Britain, USA, the Dominions and the Allied countries —is steadily developing its war potential and increasingly gathering momentum.”
The medical officer at Apia Government Hospital, Dr. M. Neumann, has left Western Samoa after completing his three-year term with the Administration.
His experience, efficiency and unassuming and kind ways gained the confidence and goodwill of the people of the Territory, and his departure was greatly regretted.
He was an Austrian refugee, and had practised in Europe and in New Zealand before going to Samoa.
The Rev. Vernon Sherwin, well-known member of the Anglican Mission, had the honour of hoisting the Australian flag over Salamaua after it was re-captured by the Australians on September 12.