Batavia Occupied

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 56, 7 March 1942, Page 7

Batavia Occupied

By Enemy Forces

AFTER EVACUATION

Allied Troops Feel Strain Of Fight Against Heavy Odds

'United Press Association— Copyright.—Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 6. The news from Java is very grave. The Japanese have overrun the rich north-west plains and have occupied Batavia, the capital, and penetrated to the centre of the island, and are now ten miles from the south coast. A Bandoeng communique admits the completion of evacuation from the city. All important works were destroyed before Batavia was rvacuated, but many of the city's 600,000 citizens were left to continue the fight against the invaders. According to Reuter's correspondent, the Japanese outnumber the Allies by five to one, not orily in men. but in tanks, artillery, mortars and other arms. In the air they have a virtual rr-Oiopoly. The defending troops are showing signs of the strain ol <;veral days' fighting against overwhelming odds. It is generally agreed that the bold Dutch offensive has failed, and the Japanese are now threatening Bandoeng, in central Java, the headquarters of the Netherlands East Indies Army. Morale is still high, and it is still hoped that the Japanese will be held at some points. Reinforcements expected have not arrived. There is no way of escape from the island for the defenders. It will be a fight to the finish. There is little news from the Surabaya sector, but the Japanese are raiding the city. The troops in this area have no means of communication with the outside world. Important installations have been destroyed. The Japanese now occupy all western Java and Jokjakarta, in.the south and central part.