THE MAIN THRUST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 86, 22 January 1942, Page 5

THE MAIN THRUST

DEVELOPMENT BY JAPANESE. NOW 70 MILES FROM SINGAPORE. AIR ACTIVITY IN MALAYA. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 21.

It is stated authoritatively in London that the Japanese in Malaya appear to he developing a main thrust from Munr toward the British communications running north and south. On Monday there was extensive enemy air activity over the area east and south-east of Muar and strong enemy pressure was exerted along the roads south-west and south-east of Aluar. The Japanese main forces appear to be some 70 miles from Singapore. The increasing threat to Singapore, is the cause of much anxiety in London, especially the news of the Japanese operation along the coast of Malacca, on the flank of the defenders.

“The Times” says: “That the enemy can throw troops ashore with impunity from waters to which his naval squadrons cannot yet have penetrated, and under air protection alone, is. at first sight startling. Those who are familiar with the curious topography of this region will find it easier to understand, for the low-lying coast of mangrove swamps offers hiding-places in its numerous creeks to small fishing boats seized by the Japanese. They can lie up there during the day, and have no doubt assembled there to launch attacks under cover of the recent moonless nights. They are protected from interference by destroyers by a belt of shallow water extending no less than 15 miles from the shore and from destruction by E-boats by the absence of a neighbouring base from which these short-range craft might operate. They would ho more vulnerable from the air, but in this element, unhappily, local superiority has been with their side. “The Times” foresees a stern contest as the territory in front of Singapore is contracted. “As the fighting approaches the fortress the effectiveness of the fighter aircraft based on the island itself'is enhanced,” says “The Times,” and there is welcome news today that the Royal Air Force in Malaya has received a considerable accession of strength and is exercising its new power in a vigorous counter - attack. In many other respects there has been, since the outbreak of the Japanese war, time for the reinforcement of the defences of Singapore, and it is to he presumed that advantage lias been taken of it. To judge from the newspapers, tlie people, of Singapore and Johore confront'the worst the enemy can do with resolution. And other reports confirm this is true of all races of the State and city, who have shown a single determination to maintain the fight for the defence of their homes and against the invaders whose battle cry of ‘Asia for the Asiatics’ is known to mean ‘Asia for the Japanese.’ ” —British Official Wireloss.