In the Central Pacific
The American operations in the Gilbert Islands have not been long-drawn-out like the operations in the Solomons, and have swiftly produced results of considerable importance. Though Admiral Nimitz, commanding the United States Pacific Fleet, holds the view that Japan will eventually be defeated from China, his remarks last Wednesday show his satisfaction at the success won in the Gilbert Islandsâwhich, he said, are now securely in Allied hands. If we look at the map, we see that the farthest-south Japanese front ran from the Dutch East Indies through New Guinea to the Solomon Islands. The last were important both as points lying on the direct route from Pearl Harbour to Japan, and also as the easternmost flank of the Japanese front. In securing the Gilbert Islands, several hundred miles to the north-east of the Solomons, the American operation may be regarded as a wide out- flanking movement, while at the same time it will provide new bases much nearer to America, thus shortening the route of supply ships. The war is carried nearer to Japan in th:. Central Pacific, and provides a new direction from which to attack the important Japanese base on Truk Island, which itself is on the line of supply from Japan to Rabaul. The Allies in the Pacific are now on the offensive. The net is being thrown wider, and the wider and tighter it is drawn now, the greater will be the embarrassments of the enemy when the grand assault is made in or from China.
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