CAPTURE OF TARAKAN

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23537, 15 January 1942, Page 5

CAPTURE OF TARAKAN

FIGHTING CONTINUES IN CELEBES AIR ATTACKS ON ENEMY SHIPPING LONDON, January 13. The capture of the island of Tarakan in north-east Borneo is the first conquest of Netherlands East Indies territory achieved by the Japanese. The garrison, faced by overwhelming odds, fought bravely for three days. Radio communication with the island was broken early in the fighting, and no reports of the fighting have been received since then. A small number of survivors from the garrison have succeeded in reaching the mainland, but as the island is isolated, it is not thought likely that many will escape. Operations continue at Minahassa, in north Celebes, with bitter fighting against the sea-borne Japanese troops who are supported by parachutists. A communique issued by the Batavia radio states; “This morning two Australian seaplanes crashed in flames after an encounter with Japanese fighters. Over Singapore, our fighters this morning shot down five Japanese aeroplanes. Xh e pilot of one of our fighters bailed out and landed safely by parachute after he had shot down two enemy aeroplanes.” Referring to these operations, the Commonwealth Air Ministry stated: "Royal Australian Air Force Hudson aircraft hit one Japanese cruiser

aft of the rear turret. On January 11. five Royal Australian Air Force Hudsons attacked a Japanese light cruiser and a destroyer, scoring two direct hits and three near misses. The same day further attacks were made on the Japanese cruiser Kena, south of MenadOj in north Celebes. While attacking the warships, the Royal Australian Air Force aeroplanes were attacked by enemy fighters. They shot down two Japanese fighters in flames and damaged a third. All the Royal Australian Air Force aircraft continued attacking the Japanese taking part in the landing operations. Eight Hudsons engaged a superior number of Japanese fighters. Two Hudsons were lost, and two more are reported missing.” A further Netherlands East Indies communique states: “During fresh attacks by Netherlands East Indies bombers on Japanese ship concentrations off Tarakan, two direct hits were registered on two transport ships. “This morning Japanese aeroplanes bombed Kalonedale, in central Celebes, injuring one soldier. About 30 heavy bombs were dropped. “Other Japanese bombers raided Ternate, in the island of Halmahera. There were 24 casualties. A petrol storage depot was set on fire, and some fires were caused in the centre of the town.” In San Francisco, the Lieutenant Governor-General of the Netherlands East Indies (Dr. H. J. van Mook) declared that United States aid is expected to arrive in time to repulse the Japanese thrust towards the Dutch East Indies. He said that he believed that Singapore would hold out. Dr. van Mook is on his way to Washington.