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FLEET STRENGTHS
IN THE
IN the past Japan's
greatest defensive asset has been her geo- graphical situation, re- mote from any adver- sary who need be feared.
PACIFIC
How the Far Eastern Bases Govern Naval Strategy for the United States and Britain
By Francis McMurtie
threo of
which
prove less formidable than it appears on paper. Still, it is well not to undervaluo a possible opponent, and it should be added that the personnel has the re- putation of being bravo'and well trained, though a little inclined to over-excitement in action.
Tho United States Pacific Fleet, as already mentioned, is It was the distance from regard the fortification of guns. There is some slight fully equal to the entire Japanese its main bases in the Guam as a cause of offence uncertainty about the tenth navy in the number of its unita. Baltic, quite as much as seems no longer to operate, ship, the Hiei, a 28-year-old These are reported to include 12
battleships, and the Naval Affairs Com- vessel, which was demilitar- mount 16-inch guns and the re- any superior efficiency mittee of the United States ised under the London Naval mainder 14-inch; five aircraft- on Japan's part, which House of Representatives Treaty of 1930, but has been carriers, all of larger size than CURRENT ACCOUNTS opened defeated the Russian has strongly recommended credibly reported to have the average Japanese unit of this category; about 30 cruisers, or shorter periods in Local or Other Cur- navy in 1904-5. But this that the necessary credits been rearmed and brought again of greater average size be voted. This last-minute up to first-line condition. than their Japanese opposite BAVINGS ACCOUNTS also opened in factor of distance also repentance on the part of
At least five battleships of numbers; about 80 destroyerB
though they are being turned out alipwed saate end once in London precludes Japan from America's legislators is of considerably over 40,000 tons so rapidly that this figure may decisive little help for the present displacement are understood well be an underestimate and ascertained at any of its Agencies and stroke against an op- the only route which an Two of these were launched
time. In the circumstances to be under construction. at least 40 submarines. Manager. ponent.
American fleet could pru- in November, 1939, 'Notwithstanding the sen- dently follow if bent on sational prophecies in which countering Japanese aggres- American scaremongers sion in the East would have £3,000,000 have indulged from time to to be an indirect one. 1.000.000 time, it remains a fact that 1,254,600 the distance from Japan to
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and
April, 1940, respectively, and may possibly be ready for sea this year.
Three or four smaller armour
cd ships of the "pocket battle- ship" type are also completing for the Japanese navy, but these for practical purposes may be regarded as heavy armoured
At first sight the nearest way to the objective would California is over 4,750 appear to be via Alaska, miles. No sane strategist especially as there is an would dream of embarking American naval base at an expedition across such an- Dutch Harbour, in the Aleu-
Japan has seven completed immense stretch of sea in the tian Islands, some 2,000 aircraft-carriers, but only two of miles from the northernmost them are of large size. Two face of naval opposition.
RUSSIA
S:AM
SINGAPORE
DUTCH EAST
ÎNDIAN
OCEAN
(MAP)
A FORMORA
INDIES
Prat
JAPAN YOKOHAMA
AUSTRALIA
Sydney
cruisers.
Aleutian
ALASKA
DUTCH MARGINA
PACIFIC
Seattle
Sandiego
PEARL HARBOUR
Hamay
Saman da TOIVNA
GUCAN
NADA
PAUANA CANAL
It should be noted that, as a general rule, the value of an air- tionate to her size, since this is. craft-carrier is roughly propor-
the measure of her capacity to accommodate 'planes. The United States is far ahead of Japan in the quality of its naval
air service.
There is, in addition, the Asia- tic Fleet, which normally com- prises two cruisers, 14. destroy- ers, a dozen submarines, and sundry gunboats, minesweepers,
But and other minor craft. other American warships are in service, of course, in the Atlantic
used to reinforce the Pacific Fleet by way of the Panama
They include Canal. battleships, with, cruisers, de- stroyers, submarines and auxíli- ary vessels,
Flect. These could readily be
threo
American naval construction in hand includes 16 battleships, 12 aircraft-carriers, 54 cruisers, about 200 destroyers and over 70 submarines. Two of the new battleships will be ready this spring. As in the case of the defences of Guam and Tutuila the United States has been a little slow in awakening to the extent of Japanese preparations, but her building capacity is far beyond anything to which Japan could attain, despite her earlier start.
So far as Allied naval forces in the Far East are concerned, the British China Squadron, under the command of Vice-Adml Sir Geoffrey Layton, normally con- sists of four cruisers, a dozen
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PRESENTS
FOR
EVACUATES
IN
AUSTRALIA
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY
COOK'S
WHICH. ENABLE PRESENTS TO BE CHOSEN. FROM
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destroyers, 15 submarines, half- THOS COOK & SON, LTD.
a-dozen sloops and nine mine- sweepers, besides smaller craft, It is known, however, that a large part of this force has been recalled to home waters since the war began.
The Royal Australian Navy's strength amounts to six cruisers, five destroyers, four sloops and
several of these have been ofll- cially reported to be serving in the Mediterranean or elsewhere. H.M.A.S. Sydney, the ship which lomeo Colleoni, recently returned sank the Italian Cruiser Barto-
to her home port.
The New Zealand division,
normally two cruisers and two sloops, might also be available
as a reinforcement.
If we consider Japan's harbours of Japan. Wea- more are known to be nearing some smaller vessels. Though position in relation to the ther conditions in those lati- completion.
the strength of United tudes, however, quite apart States it should be noted that from the absence of a first- the main force of the United class base, make this an un- States Fleet is concentrated attractive line of approach. at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, It is obvious that a more 3,379 miles from Yokohama. southerly track would be Such a distance is too great preferable. In the Samoan for any fleet to cover with island of Tutuila the United the prospect of having to States possesses a commo- heavy units armed with Sin fight an action at the other dious harbour at Pago-Pago, guns, six ships with 6.1in guns end, unless a fully equipped the further development of and 17 mounting 5.5in guns. base capable of providing which has also been re- Five more cruisers, believed to fuelling, supply and repair commended to Congress, mount 6.1in guns, are nearly facilities were available close Thence, the next step- ready for delivery. by. of dis- being taken There are approximately 100 bance applies to both Powers. British good wil buld be to destroyers and at least 60 sub- For the past two years Sydney, the principal Aus-marines in commission, besides vain efforts have been made tralian naval base, which is number of minelayers, mine- docks.
sweepers, seaplane carriers, sub- by the United States Navy over 4,300 miles from Yoko- marine chasers and
fleet Department to obtain Con- hama, and therefore secure auxiliaries.
Almost all the ships in service gressional authority to for- from any serious Japanese
wore built in Japan to home- tify and equip Guam as the threat.
made designs, which have not in
"There'll Always
be an England"
SUNG BY
DEANNA DURBIN
IN
T
In the East Indies the Royal force of three cruisers, seven Japan's cruisers include 12 Netherland navy maintains a destroyers 16 submarines, and a considerable number of sloops, minelayers, minesweepers and motor torpedo-boats. I have mentioned the principal base, Sourabaya, in the island of Java. There are shipbuilding and re- pairing facilities there, with dry
a
At the British bases at Singa- poro and Hongkong there are dry docks capable of accommodating the biggest warships afloat, an invaluable asset in the event of battleships receiving heavy un- derwater damage. Both ports
kind of base I have in- Yet another 4,500 miles variably given satisfaction; they "NICE GIRL" dicated. Guam is an island would take the fleet from have shown a distinct tendency are defended by well-armed and in the Western Pacific, with Sydney to either Singapore load ships in recent years. Thus few particulars have been pub- to over-gun and generally over- fully-garrisoned forts, of which a fine natural harbour, dis or Sourabaya, the chief the torpedo-boat Tomoduru, the lished, though it has been unofli- tant only 1,350 miles from Dutch East Indies naval first time she went to sea in cially reported that the Singa- Yokohama. It was one of base, the latter port being a rough weather, capsized and pore defences mount guns of ex- the prizes of the Spanish- trifle nearer to Sydney. most of her complement were ceptional range and American War in 1898. All Once at Singapore, any dimculty and, with other units extended.
drowned. She was salved with Mineflelds also exist and could be the neighbouring islands of Japanese threat to either of the class, had to be rebuilt. the Mariana and Caroline Malaya or the Dutch Indies Again, the four cruisers of the groups were sold by Spain would be effectually check- Mogami class, which to Germany to avert their mated.
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It is difficult, then, to see how 15 6.1in and eight-bin guns on Japan can strike a decisive blow loss, and passed to the man- Though in the number of a displacement of 8,500 tons, be against either British or Ameri- sides carrying four aircraft, can interests. Hor position is as date of Japan under the its ships the Imperial Japa- were a notorious disappointment. I described it at the outset. It Versailles Treaty. Two of nese Navy is the third in the So top-heavy were they found to is true that the Philippine them, Saipan and Yap, are world, the United States. be on their trials that weights Islands offer a tempting bait, reported to have been equip- Pacific Fleet is fully as ed before they could be accepted Formosa or Hainan before the had to be drastically redistribut since they could be invaded from ped as minor naval bases, strong. In capital ships, in- for service. Even so, they gave United States fleet could concen- and may, treaty restrictions deed, it is slightly stronger. little satisfaction, and the next trate to defend them; but their notwithstanding, have been Japan has in service at two cruisers in hand were re temporary loss, even if the fortified by the Japanese present either nine or ten designed, with all their aircraft Japanese met with no great re- Now that an atmosphere battleships, two of which aft and only 12 6.1in guns in sistance, would not make much difference to America so long as of crisis has arison, the ap- are armed with 16-inch and For these reasons it is possible. Singapore remained available as prehension that Japan might the other eight with 14-inch that the Japaneso fleet might a main base, -
stead of 15.
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