ENEMY HARASSED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 88, 24 January 1942, Page 5

ENEMY HARASSED

HEAVY FIGHTING IN MALAYA.

POSITION OF THE BRITISH.

G ENER AL WITHER A WAL INFERRED.

(United Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 23. A Far Eastern communique issued at Singapore today states: “Yesterday in the Mersing area contact with the enemy continued. Our artillery has been actively harassing the enemy with effect. On "the central front our forward troops are in contact with the enemy in Chaah, 25 miles north-west of Kluan, lying a few miles west of the Singapore railway, where the fighting is in progress. On the west, enemy activity increased in Batu Rabat, on the coast south of the Munr area, with indications of some infiltrations eastward. Heavy fighting continues on the north front about Bukit, north-east of Batu Pahat. There was considerable enemy air activity throughout the day against our forward troops. “A small formation of our fighters encountered a superior enemy force in Yongpeng, due east of the Batu iPahat area, this morning, and as a result of this engagement one of our fighters is missing. Normal patrol and reconnaissance activities were carried out by our aircraft.

“A force of enemy aircraft that raided Singapore yesterday consisted of about .54 heavy bombers, escorted by fighters. Later repents show that our fighters shot down six aircraft for certain and two probably, damaging a number of others. The military damage was again mainly confined to buildings. The casualties were slight. The civilian casualties were 5S killed and 170 injured. “Enemy aircraft again raided Singapore this morning, and were again intercepted by our fighters, which destroyed one enemy bomber and probably another two.” Authoritative quarters in London infer from this communique that a general withdrawal has been made by British forces all along the line. —British Official Wireless.