25 MILES FROM SINGAPORE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23541, 20 January 1942, Page 5

25 MILES FROM SINGAPORE

CLAIM MADE BY JAPANESE ADVANCE IN WEST OF MALAYA (Received January 20. 2 a.m.) SINGAPORE, January 19. The Japanese Domei News Agency claimed that the Japanese on the west coast of Malaya are less than 25 miles from Singanorc. The agency also claimed that the British fighter force had abandoned the Tcngah and Sclalar aerodromes and had taken refuge in Sumatra. The Australians are no longer thinking in terms of delaying actions but are at present bent on holding up the Japanese in their preparation for a new phase of the battle in Johorc, says the correspondent of the Australian Associated Press. Attacks by the Royal Air Force on Japanese transports on Friday must have done terrific damage, probably effectively delaying enemy movements with large numbers of wrecked lorries choking the principal roads. "The continued activity of the British air forces is undoubtedly the greatest tonic to our troops,’’ the correspondent says. "If only we had more squadrons it would be devastating. In the Muar river sector the Japanese are apparently preparing for an outflanking movement against the Australians, who have prepared a warm reception in that quarter. The air force is constantly bombing enemy barges.