ATTACKS ON AIRFIELDS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23534, 12 January 1942, Page 5

ATTACKS ON AIRFIELDS

British Bombers Active MANY BIG FIRES STARTED (Received January 11, 11 p.m.) LONDON, January 11. In the last 24 hours there have been two alerts in Singapore but no bombs were dropped. Aircraft of the Far East Command carried out extensive attacks on enemy targets this morning. At Sungei Patani several large fires were started, and were followed by a series of explosions. Aircraft which attacked Ipoh aerodrome dropped a number of bombs on the runways and started three big fires, two of which appeared to be burning aircraft. A third fire was started in a building and flames were visible 50 miles away. At Singora bombs were dropped on shipping, the railway junction, and military buildings, where a huge fire was started. This was still burning when aircraft arrived later over the target, and it is thought considerable damage was done to military stores. Enemy aircraft which approached Singapore Island this morning were intercepted by Royal Air Force fighters and shot down over Johore. A strong but fruitless attack by Japanese bombers on a Netherlands East Indies warship is recorded in the Batavia communique, which states that on Friday night military objectives at Tarakan, in the north-east corner of Dutch Borneo, were again bombed by about eight Japanese bombers. As a target the enemy aircraft apparently chose a warship of the Royal Netherlands Navy lying off Tarakan, which had met previous attacks with antiaircraft gun fire. About 30 bombs were directed at the ship, but no hit was scored either on it or a merchant ship lying nearby. Five members of the merchant ship’s crew were slightly wounded by one of the few bombs which came near. The ship was insignificantly damaged above the waterline. Enemy reconnaissance activity took place over various points of the outer provinces. . .. . The Singapore radio announced that Hudson aircraft of the Royal Air Force scored four direct hits on a Japanese ship off the east coast of Malaya. Subsequent reconnaissance indicated that the ship was sunk. Minister Recalled The following announcement about Mr A. Duff Cooper’s appointment in the Far East was made from the Prime Minister’s office in Washington. Arrangements made in Washington m connexion with the appointment of General Sir Archibald Waveß as supreme commander in the Sbuth-west Pacific necessarily brings to an end tne mission of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as Resident Minister of Cabinet rank at Singapore. The Chancellor of the Duchy has been asked by His Majesty’s Government to wind up his mission and return home. Following his recall, Mr Duff Cooper is returning to London as soon as posS ’With the further southward advance of the enemy the. threat to Kuala Lumpur is greatly increased. The Japanese main forces, supported by heavy tanks, guns, and aeroplanes, breaking from the jungle, have started a general offensive on the western Malaya front. The attack is developing along the Slim river and the Bilul river north of Tanjong Mahm. 50 miles n °ft h e o coSSonde?t PU of the United Press of America states that British advanced troops are ho jding the attack though outnumbered by scores to one. Knowledge of Roads In the Selangor area the Japanese have a complete knowledge of the roads through the rubber plantations, and this has enabled them to launch attacks by armoured cars and tanks. The Japanese claim to have occupied Kuala Lumpur has been modified to-day. for a Tokyo dispatch to Berlin states that violent fighting is still going on round the town, and that tne British are trying to hold it against a Japanese advance from the north. Describing the Japanese offensive in a dispatch from Seremban, which is south of Kuala Lumpur, a correspondent of the Associated Press says the Japanese adopted modified panzer tactics in which light tanks were used as feelers, the heavy tanks following. The invaders managed to force a slight withdrawal of the British troops in (he region of the Slim river after brief but severe fighting in which the British casualties weic

light British officers declared that the Japanese tanks had completely disappeared after the engagement. Intelligence officers discovered on a Japanese tank lieutenant complete maps of Malaya. The lieutenant was dressed in a green uniform and crash helmet. His equipment included a camera. The correspondent adds that tne { Japanese forces which landed at Kuala Selangor still constitute a threat to the British rear. The Japanese are believed to be roaming in the jungle and rubber estates eastward of Rawang, while the main force is advancing southwards down the mam road. , . It is stated in Singapore that between 60 and 70 per cent, of M&laya’s tin will not be available to either the Japanese or the British, and that the remainder will be available to the British only. Fifty per cent of the rubber supplies will be available to neither side, and the remainder will be available to Japan only under difficulties. Seven persons were killed and 11 were \voundGd when bombs fell on a village in the Singapore area early on Friday morning, demolishing two wooden huts. No military objectives we hit. Several of the raiders were caught by searchlights and fired at by the ground defences.