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In the War Zone

Present Jap Superiority in Air Big Factor in Their Gains at Singapore

By DEWITT MACKENZIE.


The speed with which the Japanese have gained a foothold in force on Singapore Island - supreme symbol of military might in the Orient - certainly offers little encouragement to the defense, and the best one can say at the moment is that the battle for this immensely important base isn't over.
The landing was made on the northwest coast of the island under cover of darkness, and today the invaders were driving their way eastward in heavy fighting. This gave further evidence of the strength of the attack, for a message from Sydney disclosed that the zones where the Japs came ashore was defended by Australians who are among the greatest fighters in the imperial forces. 
Again the world is having driven home the vast importance of air power, for a very considerable degree of the Japanese success is due to supremacy in this branch. Whether the British are able to hold Singapore depends largely on whether they receive heavy re-enforcements of fighting planes with which to stand off the Nipponese machines which are described as swarming the sky.
The Japanese assault was preceded by a violent bombardment from heavy artillery n their neighboring peninsula, accompanied by a terrific assault by air. This continued for twenty-four hours, at the end of which time the Japs made what appears to have been a neat maneuver. 
Depends on Re-enforcements.
Previously the Nipponese had occupied Palau Ubin, an island at the entrance to Johore Strait off the northeast coast of Singapore. This was meant to give the impression to the British that the Japanese attack would be made in that zone. Actually, however, the Japs struck at the other side of Singapore, on the northwest coast, and a dispatch from the scene indicates that this was in the nature of a flanking movement against the defending troops which were holding along the northern shore of the island along the strait. 
It is too early to offer predictions as to the outcome of this historic battle. It undoubtedly depends on what re-enforcements, especially in the air, the Allies can get to Singapore quickly.
If Singapore falls it will, of course, be a disaster for the Allies. Not only will it bring the Nipponese right up against Sumatra, but it will open up Malacca Strait to Japanese ships for an assault against Rangoon and Burma, gateway to the Burma Road which is China's lifeline.
The loss of Singapore would not be a decisive victory in the sense that it would mean the Japs had won the battle of the Pacific. However, there is no doubt that it would raise a mighty barrier which the Allies would have to smash before they could defeat the Japanese.
Coincident with the Singapore show the Japanese are intensifying their assaults against Gen. MacArthur on the Batan Peninsula. If the Japs can get both these bases into their hands they will be well set for their big attack against the Dutch East Indies.