Show BATTLE GAMES IN HAWAIIAN WATERS CLOSE Blue Attacking Force in Position Position Position Po Po- Po- Po to Capture Honolulu By Br CAPTAIN CHARLES M. M AUSTIN Chief of Staff Blue Fleet ABOARD U U. S. S S. S CALIFORNIA I of off Oahu Feb 13 The P The Hawaiian war games carnes ended today with the blue attacking force in a secure position ashore on the west coast of Oahu ir in undisputed control of the sea and with the ultimate capture of Honolulu Hono Hono- lulu ulu certain The maneuvers in which capture of the Hawaiian islands from a theoretical theo then enemy In possession of them was vas the problem provided valuable experience for tor the army and navy PROBLEM SOLVED The first thing learned was the co co- operative study necessary for tor the ex ex- cution of the many intricate details involved in a joint overseas tion ion The second most valuable experience ex cx- was the landing of or fully equipped quipped troops on exposed beaches of f a hostile island despite severe natural nat nat- ural ral obstacles The third was the problem of supplying naval gunfire to o protect the landing troops in lieu of f the artillery fire generally used for troops advancing against a strongly defended position The results confirmed previous estimates esti mates that this type of operation would be most costly in lives and material particularly aeronautics One no hundred one eighty blue and black planes were adjudged lost losty Iby by y the war game umpires prior to the he final assault Few can survive to o the end SERVES ERVES AS REMINDER REL This war game should serve to remind remind re re- re mind Americans that it is easier to tomake tomake tomake make the Hawaiian key to the Pacific secure against attack than to recapture recap recap- ture ure it in case it is lost Also it obviously cannot be regarded as secure In n war unless an adequate navy is available to restrict the enem enemy action to o raids and the Honolulu air nir force forces is s sufficient to perform its functions fully ully in support of gun mine and submarine defense The valleys may maybe maybe maye be e filled to the level of the moun moun- lain ain tops with airplanes and there still not ot be enough to give ultimate security ity ly if the navy is unable to drive o off and nd defeat the participating and supporting sup sup- porting orting enemy ships This blue fleet brought to this good attack an air force superior to the he local force force but but so could the enemy enemy ene cnn my if it could obtain a clear sea |