Aircraft Carrier Operations in the Indian Ocean. Report by J.I.C.

4. Lastly, to the extent that the air striking forces caused actual wastage to the Japanese air forces in the Burma-Malaya-N.E.I. Zone, the flow of replacement aircraft to other theatres might be reduced, but this factor would be so small as to e almost negligible. 5. To sum up, we do not believe that the presence of carrier-borne air striking forces in the N.E.I.Malaya area would materially affect Japanese air opposition to the scheduled Pacific operations. It might pin down one or two specialist anti-shipping units and, to the extent to which wastage was actually inflicted, slightly affect the flow of replacement aircraft.