RUSSIANS STILL ATTACKING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23819, 12 December 1942, Page 5

RUSSIANS STILL ATTACKING

' Further Gains On Central Front

INCREASING GERMAN RESISTANCE

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

'(Rec. 11 p.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 11

Tlie midday Moscow communique reports continued offengre engagements by the Russians in the same directions as bef North-west of Stalingrad Soviet units have thrown back r l o re German counter-attacks, and to the south-west, where the Russians are pressing- down the railway towards Kotelnikpv another German attempt to regain lost ground has been beaten oft.

In the Stalingrad factory area there seems to have been H return to small group fighting, but here too the Russians are making progress.

It is plain that the repeated and increasing German counterattacks have slowed down the Russian advance to some extent, but the Red Army is still making headway. On the central front the Russians are still attacking and lightening their hold on the ground gained. Many battles on this front are swaying to and fro over vast areas without appreciable changes, but in othei aieas the Russians are thrusting forward and systematically reducing enemy slrongpoinls.

Violent fight ins: continues north-west of Moscow, where the Germans have launched a number of counter-attacks. The Russians, however, have gained further ground. The Moscow radio says that west of Rzhev the Russians occupied four ('more populated points. After a prolonged battle near one of the villages the Russians routed a German motorised battalion in hand-to-hand fighting. In the Velikye Luki area the Russians advanced seven miles and captured 13 populated places.

Last night's Russian communique said: "Soviet troops in the area of Stalingrad and on the central front continued offensive operations on De'cembcr 10 in the same direction as before. In the factory area of Stalingrad, our troops operating in small (groups blocked and wrecked enemy •'pill-boxes and dug-outs. In (he south'frn outskirts of the city our troops penetrated enemy positions and pushed forward. "North-west of Stalingrad our troops repelled fierce enemy counter-attacks and on some sectors waged offensive operations. "On the central front our troops consolidated their positions and conducted some offensive operations. West of Rzhev our units routed one enemy infantry battalion. On another sector of the same front the enemy, attempting to stem our advance, launched a counter-attack with large infantry forces and 70 tanks. At the price of high losses the enemy succeeded in pushing back our troops slightly. All attempts to develop this success were frustrated, and the Germans left 42 disabled or destroyed tanks."

sistanco on the central front, alter a battle which raged for 24 hours. The Germans lost 7(10 dead alone. "Red Star" reports that the Soviet troops stormed fortifications which ■wore bristling with guns, mortars, and machine-guns, Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that the Germans south-west of Stalingrad have improved their defences. They have dug in tanks as tiring points to reinforce their lines, and are at present launching frequent counterattacks against infiltrating Russians. A Berlin report says that the Russians in the Kalach area, west of Stalingrad. have brought up reinforcements, and that fierce fighting is progressing between the Don and the Volga. Leningrad is confidently facing a second winter siege. A million people in the last 18 months have built a terrific ring of forts round the city. "Pravda" says that Leningrad is a fortress the enemy cannot now take. The Moscow correspondent nf “The Times" says that the Russian Baltic Fleet has taken up winter positions on (he Neva in order to use its guns against the enemy’s land positions.

Earlier, the Russians claimed the capture‘of an important centre of re-

POST-WAR ADIS OF U.S.

RAID ON INDIAN TOWN

PRESENT DISCUSSION

ENEMY BOMBERS FROM BURMA (8.0. W.) RUGBY. Dee. 10. A communique from General Headquarters in India states that on the afternoon of December 10 a Japanese bomber escorted by fighters made a short attack on Chittagong. The civil population calmly took shelter. Although several bombs wore dropped only a small amount of damage was caused and casualties arc reported to be extremely light. The enemy was intercepted by Royal Air Force Hurricanes and many combats took place. The destruction of three of the raiders by the fighters is confirmed, but full reports arc not yet available. Two Hurricanes were shot down, but the pilots are safe.

CRITICISED

Saying into hands of AXIS

(Bee. 8 p in.) NEW YORK, Dee. 10. The “New York Times" in a leading article on current discussions of the post-war aims of the United States, says that they are assuming an unfortunate tenor and threatening to leave the bounds of debate and become a challenge flung primarily at the British Empire. Nothing would please Goobbels more. "This turn in the debate is largely due to some fundamental misconceptions of which the most fundamental is that we are in Ihe war by our own free will, and if we do not like the Allies or their aims we can pack up our things and go home,” says the newspaper. "In spite of Pearl Harbour we are prone to forget that we are in the war because we were attacked. We must be thankful that we have the Allies on our side, "Furthermore the debate is tending to leave the discussion of principles and become back-seat driving which aims at dictating military and political strategy and tactics. The broad principles of the United Nations' war aims are contained in the Atlantic Charter. There is the best possible reason why we should eonlinue to discuss, debate, and amplify them, but the discussion should bo within the bounds set by the need of common defence, "This is a sound principle and the only principle lhat will win the war and win Iho peace. Any attempt to dictate forms to the Allies instead of to the enemies is sure to be selfdefeating,"

DISTURBANCES IN INDIA

POLICE MAKE MORE ARRESTS NEW DEI,HI. Dee. 10. The police yesterday fired on hostile crowds in Ahmcdabad, killing one and wounding throe. Sixteen were arrested. Similar demonstrations occurred in Bombay, in which trams and police patrol-cars were stoned. Students at Lucknow University raided the registrar's office and set fire to the records. The demonstrations are believed to mark the completion of four months since Mr Gandhi's arrest on August 9. The police last night simultaneously raided houses in Poona City and seized quantities of chemicals for manufacturing bombs, two revolvers, and ammunition. They arrested 30, including two school teachers and several students.

ITALIAN DEFENCE

ZONES

CUN DUEL ACROSS STRAITS

CONTROL BY GERMANS

REPORTED

LONDON, Dec. 10

BRITISH AND GERMAN ARTILLERY

According to a message from Zurich Quoted by the Moscow radio, Germany has asked Italy to immediately evacuate the civil population from Sicily and Sardinia, and the provinces of Calabria, Apulia and Campagna, forming the toe and heel of Italy, in order that the areas can be converted into defence zones. The Italian forces in southern Italy and Ihe islands will be entirely subordinated to German command.

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, Dec. 10. Twice during the night there was a heavy gun duel across the Straits of Dover, The cannonade lasted two hours.’Heavy calibre shells fell on one coastal area. Shells were exploding regularly every five minutes during Ihe height of the shelling. In spile of the intensity of the firing no casualties were reported. German guns in many new positions were firing from many points along the French coast and covered an area of several miles.

Berlin military circles regard Corsica as of great strategic importance, and a high-ranking German officer has been given command of (he garrison. _ General Lohr, cornmandcr-in-ehicf of the German forces in the Balkans, has arrived in the south of Italy to participate in a contercncc of German generals on the defence of the Trench and Italian coasts and the Balkans.

The duel was renewed early to-day

UNCHAINING OF NAZI

PRISONERS

BLACKMAIL BY AXIS AGENTS

ACTION IN BRITAIN AND CANADA EONDON, Dec. Ul, All German prisoners of war in Britain and Canada are to be freed from their manacles on Saturday. This was announced in London and Ottawa today. The Germans were shackled last October as a reprisal for the shackling of British and Canadian prisoners by the Germans.

SOUTH AMERICAN FIRMS THREATENED

MONTEVIDEO, Dec. in

“ Vr-American committee for tlD'po,, dyii defence of the hemisphere alleges-mat Axis agents a re endeavouring to extort hundreds of thousands of dollar? from South American firms under threat.; that, relatives in Axisdominated countries will suffer unless the demands are met. The committee stales that the money i? needed to finance Axis activities in North and South America, Payment is usually demanded in dollars or sterling. Describing the extortion as inhuman !>!ackmail. the committee said that about 1,250,n0n dollars was demanded for (he release of 700 refugees in One occupied country. Other single demands ranged as high ns 200,000 dollars.

The War Office states that (wo days ago the Government was approached by the Swiss Government, as the protecting Power, with a suggestion that prisoners should be freed from their shackles. A similar suggestion was being made to the German Government.

SINGLE PARTY IN FRANCE

Enemy Bomber Destroyed. —Early lasi night there was slight enemy activity over the north-east coast of England. hut no bombs were reported. One enemy bomber was destroyed.—B.O.W. Rugby, December 10.

LONDON D - tn. Lava! has taken another step ! ■■ ■ D making himself virtual die'.or M France by inaugurating a single i i.:. cal parly.

SIGNS OF ENEMY NERVOUSNESS

ALLIED PATROLS AT

EL AGHEILA

AIR ATTACKS CONTINUE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p m.) LONDON. Dec. 11. ‘‘Although no major engagement has taken place on the El Agheila front, the enemy’s reaction to the constant activity of our patrols indicates that his forward troops are in a slate of some nervousness,” says today’s Cairo communique. Allied fighters and fighter-bombers were active over the Libyan battle area yesterday, the targets including the Marble Arch landing-ground, and enemy vehicles and gun emplacements. At least four Axis fighters were destroyed.

A formation of three enemy sixengined transport aircraft was attacked off Tripolitania by Allied twin-engined long-range fighters. One transport aeroplane was shot down and another damaged. A four-engined enemy aircraft was also seriously damaged. A large fire was started among cargo at the port of Sousse, in eastern Tunisia, when Allied aircraft attacked, scoring a direct hit on a warehouse. Four Allied aircralt arc missing.

The Berlin radio rays that two British armoured divisions, one British infantry division, and the New Zealand infantry division, arc now massed against Marshal Rommel’s positions at El Agheila.

POSITION OF HARLAN

DEEP CONCERN IN BRITAIN LONDON, Dec. 10. In the secret debate in the House of Commons. Mr Churchill referred to North Africa, including the implications which have arisen over Admiral Darlan’s appointment. No public statement was issued.

A study nf the national press in tlic Inst few clays leaves little doubt as to the deep concern about the political situation in French North Africa, states a British official wireless message. Nothing (hat has been said so far, cither in Washington or in London, has removed the grave suspicion which Darian’s name evokes.

The press on the whole accepts the fact that Darlan has already done much to advance Atlicd military operations in North Africa. The fact that hundreds of Allied lives have been saved, that much valuable lime ’ as been gained, and that French possessions in West Airica, with the naval base of Dakar, have come over to the Allies, is noted. Nevertheless, there is clearly much worrying by the British public about the position Darlan appears to have built up for himself, and disappointment is expressed (hat the statement to Parliament will not bo available to the public.

The need in war for a State to accord its strategy with its moral policy was referred to by General do Gaulle in a speech at a luncheon of the British and American Press Association,

"If it happens that for a brief instant some obstacle leads a State to make some slight detour from her path, don’t you think it essential that the State should abandon that detour as quickly as possible, or risk permeating her effort with great moral anxiety?" he said.

TONS OF TIOMBS

DROPPED

R.A.F. ATTACK ON TURIN

ITALIANS ADMIT HEAVY

DAMAGE

LONDON, Dor. 10 When Royal Air Force bombers raided Turin on Wednesday night they blasted workshops, factories and other buildings with 80001b demolition bombs, and they also dropped an enormous number of incendiaries. One pilot counted 02 fires, the biggest one being rigid in the centre of the main target. Smoke over Turin rose to a height of one mile and a half. Fires were seen in Turin when the first British, bombers arrived, those started on Tuesday night still being alight. Incendiaries were dropped and started many more fires, and as the last bombers' left, of) minutes after the lirsl had arrived, the glare of the new (ires was so great that it was di/lieull to sec the targets through the glow. Alter Ihc bombers had reerossed the Alps, the peaks could be seen silhouetted against the glow in the sky. An Italian communicjue stales that the raid on Turin on Wednesday night again caused great damage. Numerous buildings were hit and set on fire, many of which collapsed. Sixty-five were killed and 112 were injured as a result of the raid on Tuesday night. One enemy fighter was destroyed by a Lancaster bomber.

Wednesday night's raid was the fourteenth on Italy, and the seventh on Turin since the bombing of Italy began on October 22. Royal Air Force losses during these heavy concentrated attacks have been particularly light, only 27 aircraft having been lost. On four occasions there were no losses, and the greatest loss was live aircraft when Milan was raided on October 24. The average loss over the whole of the raids probably represents under 2 per cent, of the aircraft employed. "The Times" comments that the remarkable immunity the attacks have enjoved would alone justify concentration against Italy, but the attacks have also been of great value as the destruction wrought in the seaport towns is a direct contribution to the success of Allied operations in Tunisia and even in Libya. Every bomb dropped on inland 'industrial towns has helped the same cause. The Director of the United Stales Office of War Information (Mr Elmer Davis) said that although chaos was increasing in Italy, advices to the United States Government indicated no immediate prospects of an Italian revolt against Ihe Germans.

Mi- Davis said the United States was not urging revolution in Judy bid rather was depending on the Italians' war weariness and disgust with their leaders to produce internal passive^resistance. He disclosed that the United States was broadcasting personal attacks against the Italian King, who was not regarded as a powerful figure. The Koval Air Force on Thursday maintained its daylight offensive by attacks on shipping off the coast of Holland, and on railways in occupied territorv. Two machines were lost. Spitfires have now boon lilted with a double-supercharged engine, which tits them to climb to great heights. It is officially slated that the now model ran outstrip the much-vaunted Focke Wul£ 190.

SPANISH ATTITUDE

TO WAR

NEW YORK. Dec. 10. General Franco's speech is interpreted in Washington as meaning that he intends to keep out of the war, states the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times'’ (Mr Harold Callender). Ho says that Spain is between two fires and could hardly enter the conflict without becoming a battleground. Furthermore, the Spanish leaders entertain growing doubts concerning the outcome of the war.

The Weather Forecast

Holiday-makers and week-enders must prepare for sudden weather changes. To safeguard against chills and colds they should lake with them a bottle of Baxters Lung Preserver. A few doses of good old “Baxters" will quickly check a cold and prevent serious de’velm ments. “Baxters" has tonic ijupcrlics too. —3

GERMAN ATTACKS IN TUNISIA

Capture of Tabarca

Claimed

ALLIES MASSING BIG FORCES (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 11. Although the German radio claims that the Germans have captured Tabarca there is no confirmation of this in London, where it is stated that an attack on Tabarca could be made only by sea-borne and air-borne troops. An overland approach is impossible, because of the Ist Army’s dispositions. Reuter’s correspondent in Tunisia, in a dispatch from the battlefront dated late on Thursday night, says: “The Germans have brought up mortars and 77 millimetre guns and are shelling the Tobourba-Medjez el Bab road in the centre of Lieutenant-General Anderson’s front.”

It is estimated that there are 25,000 Gorman troops in Tunisia, out of a total of 28,000 Axis troops. Ten or 12 Junkers 52’s are arriving at Tunis daily with German reinforcements.

Allied Headquarters say the Allies arc massing a colossal weight of men and metal for the job of blowing the Germans from their strong points. The British United Press correspondent in North Africa says: “The Axis is reinforcing southern Tunisia as far

south as Sfax and Gabes with increasing numbers of glider-borne German troops, probably from Sardinia and Sicily. The troops arc being pushed inland.’ It is believed that the Axis fears an Allied dash to cut the land communications between Tripolitania and Tunisia.” Clash Expected Soon “After their short, vicious lunge at Tebourba, the Germans to-day are virtually back in the positions from which they’attacked.” says Reuter's correspondent on the Tunisian frontier. “Our patrols report no signs of the enemy trying to follow up his recent thrust, blit Hie next clash cannot be long delayed, though ceaseless rain is making the problem of supply difficult. “Our reconnaissance parties, fighting patrols, and paratroops have been busy. Some paratroops reached to within 10 miles of Tunis to blow up a number of strategic objectives. French pallols are turning their knowledge of the country to good account. One parly penetrated deeply into the enemy s rear lines south of Tunis and secured valuable information.” It can now bo revealed that an attack bv American infantry at dusk turned ’the tide in (he first clash between the Americans and the Germans near Tebourba last Sunday. A wall of lire brought the panzer units to a standstill and forced them to withdraw after .suffering heavy casualties. The American Medical Corps estimates that 400 Germans wore killed in the final round of this all-day battle. Manv German wounded said they were glad’ they were wounded and finished with the war. , , . Another correspondent, m a message from Allied Headquarters, refers to flooded airfields, but says the Royal Air Force is keeping up its reputation for flying in all weathers. “The Allied position at Tebourba has improved greatly in the last few days, with the arrival of American nrlilIcrv to supplement the British 25pounders ana medium guns, says tnc correspondent. “An increasing number of aeroplanes arc arriving at forward bases. Much work has already been clone in establishing airfields from which fighters can cover the whole battlefield.”

Rain Restricts Activity

“There was little activity except patrolling in the forward tuoas in Tunisia because of rain which much of the terrain impassable.” said yesterdav’s Allied communique from North Africa. “Our aircraft bombed a small enemy column in the southern sector.” The aeronautical correspondent or “The Times” says that the Fighter Command's top-scoring squadron, including five New Zealand and four Australian pilots, which has a total bag of 12!) victims, was: the first tighter unit to arrive in North Africa, ft was installed at the Maison Blanche aerodrome at Algiers' a lew hours after American troops landed. The squadron was in action against the enemy the next day. It has gained a number of victories.

The Morocco radio reports that General Giraud, at the Algerian military school for group leaders, reviewed the Dunkerque reconnaissance group and the Strasbourg fighting group. These are new units of the French Annv formed the day the French fleet'was scuttled at Toulon, and named after the two French battlc-cruiscrs. General Giraud told them that he and the French Army expected much from them as a corps d’clilc.

RIOTS AND LOOTING

IN IRAN

LONDON, Dec. 10. Martial law was proclaimed in Teheran after demonstrations in Parliament square, followed by rioting and looting in the shopping quarter. Iranian troops and police fired on the mob and arrested looters. The situation is now quiet, although most of (ho shops are closed. The demonstrations are believed to have been caused by the temporary bread shortage, which the Government promised to relieve within two days. British troops arrived in Teheran on Thursday evening, says Reuter’s correspondent in Teheran. They moved up as a precaution from their base south of Teheran to protect British oil installations, military store? and establishments in the city. The troops marched through the city and camped just outside it.

BRITISH SABOTAGE TROOPS

LONDON, Dec. 10. A German High Command communique announces that a small party of British sabotage troops was discovered at the mouth of (he Gironde river, in France, yesterday. It was engaged and wiped out.

Dismissal of Nazi Chief of Staff.— Though (lie Germans have not otlieialh admitted anything, it now appears that Hitler has dismissed General Haider, Chief of the German General Staff. This strengthens the belief, held for some time, that all is not well between Hitler and the army chiefs.— London, December 10.

BATTLE FOR BUNA

Fresh Allied Advances

FIERCE FIGHTING REPORTED

(Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) SY’DNEY. Dec. 11. The occupation of the Gona sector announced by the Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin) on Thursday was confirmed in General MacArthur’s communique to-day. For 20 days the enemy here withstood ceaseless attacks by land and air until his force was almost annihilated. The number of prisoners captured has not been revealed. A few Japanese may have escaped along the coast in small boats. The fall of Gona has freed a substantial number of Allied troops for a flanking attack against the enemy strongpoint at Sanananda, eight miles along the coast, and for increased pressure in the Buna area. An Allied wedge has already been driven through to the beach between the enemy's Buna-Sanananda positions. It was at Sanananda that the enemy concentrated his reinforcement efforts during the last three months. The enemy at Buna on Thursday night made a bitter attack in an effort to, smash this wedge, but the attack collapsed under Allied fire. Fresh Allied advances are reported to-day in the Buna airfield area where fierce fighting has been raging. Australian 25-pounders and American 105millimctre howitzers are pounding the Japanese positions. Thus the Japanese Papuan beach-head has been diminished until only a divided four-mile strip remains.

The latest Allied success limits drastically the already slim possibility of any large scale reinforcement or evacuation of the trapped Japanese forces in the Buna area.

Hopeless Stand

Gona was Ihe point of the Japanese invasion of Papua on July 22. Its capture gives the Allies complete control of the Holnicote Bay coast line sections which provide safe anchorage for transports and escorting warships. The Japanese at Gona made their final hopeless stand in an area about 400 yards by 200 yards. “Blasted by shells, bombs, and bullets for five •terrible days the stronghold became a charnel house,” writes the New Guinea war correspondent of the “Sydney Sun” to-day. "So intense was the Australian fire that the encircled Japanese were unable to bury their dead.”

The heavy casualties inflicted on the Japanese at Gona when they attempted to break through the encircling Allied ring on Wednesday night broke the back of the stubborn enemy resistance and mopping up operations were completed on Thursday. More than 500 enemy dead were counted in the area. “The hardest nuts to crack were the Japanese ‘one-man fortresses’,” writes a correspondent accompanying the Australian troops. “Our men would sneak up in the night, toss grenades through the firing slits and depart hurriedly to a farewell chorus of groans from the trapped Japanese. But still the enemy resisted. Miniature Fortresses

“Those miniature fortresses were constructed of 6-inch logs covered with 18 incites of soil, ammunition boxes also filled with soil, kapok mattresses, and their another six inches of earth. They were proof against anything except a direct artillery hit. The firing slot was 2ft Bin long and Gin high. Dozens of these fortresses, each providing covering fire for the other, encircled the Gona mission area. Each had to be reduced separately.

“For some days the Australian attacking force at Gona was short of food and ammunition because of supply difficulties. There was a high incidence of fever and heat stroke among our troops.” On Thursday enemy bombers and fighters were over the Buna area, bm no attacks wore made on our troops. Further supplies may have been dropped by parachute to the enemy garrison.

Evidence of Japanese (rouble with the Now Guinea natives was found in reports to-day from Allied reconnaissance pilots who saw two inhabited villages ablaze about 10 miles south of Salamaua. They were the villages of Waipali and Guadagasel.

ALLIED VICTORY AT GONA

AUSTRALIAN TROOPS

PRAISED

ADVANCE ON STRONG POSITIONS (Special Australian Concsp., N.Z.P.A.) SYDNEY, Dec. 10. “Young green-clad Australian soldiers advanced foot by foot through grasping vines and clinging mud. often against withering lire from strong Japanese positions.” A war correspondent accompanying the Allied forces who have now crushed enemy resistance at Gona pays this high tribute to the victorious troops.

He adds; “One Australian unit drove forward 700 yards in 45 minutes, bayonetling, shooting, and throwing handgrenades at Japanese in trenches, lying behind logs, or perched high in the tree-tops.” The Japanese losses are considered (o have been much higher than those of the Allies, though enemy sniping has taken a heavy toll and direct assaults against machine-gun emplacements have been costly. The battle in the fortress area has again been the familiar story of the unseen enemy, whose positions in the green jungle were often revealed only by gun smoke. The correspondent of the Sydney “Sun" suggests that important as the strategic land gains have been, the winning by the Allied troops of the complete devotion of the Now Guinea natives has been a feature of the campaign. Never will the natives accept the Japanese propaganda that the Pacific war is a crusade to release all coloured people from white domination. The courage, fair dealing, and friendliness of the soldiers towards the natives have ensured that Japan’s specious creed for conquest always must be unwelcome in New Guinea. Wounded returned men say that Japanese stocks slumped with the natives because the enemy's stubborn resistance would not stand the ultimate test of bayonet fighting. A clear indication of where iho native sympathies lay was their imitation of Ihe manners and modes of the Allied soldiers. Carriers sometimes affected fierce “handlebar” moustaches and smoked pipes. The hoi Girt of their ambition was to wear Allied shorts and boots. Nowhere did the natives wear Japanese clothing. , _ . Trade relations with the New Guinea natives have been stabilised by the issue of the regulation price-list for goods and services. The uncompromising adherence to the bargains struck is a new experience for the natives, who earlier had been systematically cheated, as well as ill-treated, by the Japanese. . “I have soon native earners who, although suffering from pneumonia and bush typhus, refused to seek medical aid.” said one wounded soldier now back in Australia. “They continued carrying our wounded until they collapsed and they had themselves to be rushed to hospital.”

PACIFIC CHARTER

OPPOSED

WASHINGTON. Dec. 10

Replying to a reporter’s question, the New Zealand Minister to Washington (the Hon. W. Nash) opposed the writing of the Pacific Charter to parallel the Atlantic Charter. ‘‘Speaking for myself. I think that a Pacific Charter would be the worst tiling possible. The principles of the Atlantic Charter should apply to every area,” he said.

SOLOMONS NAVAL BATTLE

DESTROYER CAPTAIN’S

STORY

NIGHT ENGAGEMENT ON NOVEMBER 14 (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.)

(Rec. 10.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 10. The “New York Times” correspondent (Foster Hailey), in a dispatch from an advanced south Pacific base, says that another piece in the jigsaw puzzle story of the night naval battle off Save Island on November 14 has been supplied by the captain of an American destroyer sunk in the action. In 40 flaming minutes she was in the battle the little American warship scored two and possibly three torpedo hits on a battleship of the Kongo class and possibly two on a heavy cruiser, raked a Japanese destroyer with 20millimetre and 5-inch gunfire, threw several broadsides into another enemy destroyer and several 5-inch shells into an additional cruiser.

“The first ship we saw was a battleship which had apparently stopped,” said the captain. “We were coming up astern and when we had her almost abeam we fired a spread of torpedoes. She was about 3000 or 40(W yards awayi and I believe two hits were scored. Some of our men thought they saw explosions just before those hits. “We saw another battleship or large cruiser and fired another spread at hex'. We had fired all our torpedoes and all our guns “were now out of action, and our power was gone'and we were on fire. There was nothing for it but to abandon ship. “I did not leave until an hour later. I went round trying to arouse people, but I could not. When I was convinced that no one else was alive I went over the rail. At daybreak we gathered some men who were floating around, patched up a raft and put the wounded on it. A few hours later we were picked up and taken to Guadalcanal’.” The “New York Times” correspondent (Tiiiman Durdin), in a dispatch from somewhere in New Guinea, says that a few days ago on the Buna front American generals went in thick fighting with privates, carrying tommyguns and duelling with snipers and grenade throwers. Leading the attack, a brigadier-general slopped a sniper’s bullet in the chest. A captain alongside the general was wounded in the body by snipers, and another captain who had been wounded two hours previously was again hit superficially during a single-handed grenade throwing duel with Japanese behind a barricade.

NATIVE ARMY IN INDOCHINA

FORMATION BY JAPAN CLAIMED (Rec. 8 p.m.) CHUNGKING, Dec. 10. A Chinese military spokesman claimed to-day that Japan was building a large native army in Indo-China. with the co-operation of the French Gover-nor-General (Admiral Decoux), who had agreed to authorise the Japanese conscription of 150.000 natives, who might be employed against China’s backdoor province, Yunnan. The spokesman admitted that China at present was unable to launch any effective grand scale counter-offensive because of insufficient supplies of aeroplanes, heavy guns, and tanks. He emphasised the importance of reopening the Burma road, and said that reports from the interior indicated that between 20.000 and 30,000 Japanese troops with heavy equipment had arrived in Chinkiang, near Nanking. Another 1000 had reached Shansi.

GENERAL KNOCKED DOWN

AUSTRALIAN SENTRY’S ACTION NFAV YORK, Dec. 10. The correspondent of the “Daily Mirror,” Mr Gordon Gaskill, who was recently in Africa, slates that a British general, who, incognito, was inspecting a camp at night, persuaded an Australian sentry to hand over his rifle. Clutching the rifle, the general stepped back, revealed his identity, and demanded: “What are you going to do now?”

The Australian swung a “haymaker,” floored the general, and retrieved his rifle. The next morning he was paraded before the general. On the first charge of allowing himself to be relieved of his rifle he was reprimanded. On the second charge of striking a superior officer the general complimented him on his “swift, decisive action.” On another occasion a single Australian. armed with a light machinegun, was deputed to guard several hundred Italian prisoners. An inspecting officer later found him surrounded by interested Italians. He had the gun in pieces and was explaining how it worked.

R.A.F. RAID ON DUTCH FACTORY

NEW ZEALANDERS TAKE

PART

(Roc. 11 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 11. Wearing steel helmets as a protection against possible anti-aircraft lire or knocking their heads if their aircraft were thrown about, pilots and air crews of the New Zealand Lockheed VentuVa Squadron flew for more than two hours at a height never exceeding 100 feet when they took part in the raid against the Philips radio works at Eindhoven on December (i. Those who took part were Wing Commander F. C. Seavill. Squadron Leaders B. Wheeler. D.F.C., of Marlon, and L. H. Trent, D.F.C., of Nelson, Flying Officers G. A. Park, of Otago, G. W. Brewer, D.F.C., of Papaloetoe, Pilot Officer S, B. Peryman, of Christchurch. Flight Sergeants T. L. B. Taylor, of Wellington, G. W. Lee, of Kaikoura, A E. Coutts, of Whakalane, R. W. Secord, of Christchurch, and also T. I. Baynton, H. D. Parker. T. Whyte. F, F. Edmonds, and W. D. L. Goodfellow, of Auckland, and C. J. J. Baker, of New Plymouth. After crossing the Dutch coast the crews had to 11 v over an aerodrome, where anti-aircraft guns fired at them from all directions. They saw one Ventura go down like a ball of fire. Squadron Leader Trent flew down (he centre of the airfield firing his front guns. When the crows sighted the target four miles away it was blazing furiously as the result of bombing by Mosquitoes and Bostons. On the run up to the target the aircraft was subjected to cross fire from a nearby aerodrome while German gunners blazed away from (he factory rooftops. Some of the air crews saw a bomber disintegrate in front of their eyes, and they watched incendiary bombs crashing through the roof-top. These bombs were followed by sheets of flame and great clouds of billowing smoke. Many of the New Zealanders had lucky escapes. Squadron Leader Trent saw'an aeroplane blown up 10 yards to starboard over the target. Sergeants Coutts and Goodfellow had their aircraft hit by an explosive cannon shell. It lit up a Very pistol cartridge, which filled the cockpit with smoko, but was put out with an extinguisher. The pilots used great skill in dodging trees and power lines. They even flew under sea level when in the dyke area. Gunners were shooting at them from the land, so several aircraft went lower than the dyke walls to escape the fire.

GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA

DEFEAT ON MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT

INDEPENDENT MEMBER’S AMENDMENT ' (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) CANBERRA. Dec. 11. Amid confusion, the Curtin Government was defeated by 35 votes to 34 in the House of Representatives this afternoon on a motion for the adjournment of the debate on the anti-conscription amendment moved by Mr M. M. Blackburn (Independent Labour, Victoria). As the motion was moved by a private member and not by a Minister, it is not accepted as a vital defeat for the Government. The threat of a political crisis faded out completely when the actual amendment was rejected on the voices. No division was held, Labour resisting an attempt to place “conscription” votes on record. On a motion to adjourn the debate Mr A. W. Coles (Independent, Victoria), whose vote helped to overthrow the Fadden Government, and Mr Blackburn voted with the Opposition to make the Opposition and the Government 34 all. Amid Labour uproar the Speaker (Mr W. M. Nairn) then exercised his casting vote to bring about a Government defeat. Mr A. A. Calwell (Labour. Victoria), who precipitated the trouble by seconding Mr Blackburn’s amendment, voted with the Government. Mr Curtin was completely unperturbed, and watched the proceedings smilingly N as his party stood solidly behind him, even though Mr Coles and Mr Blackburn, who have consistently supported him during the last 12 months, had crossed over. Later, when the gag was moved on the debate. Mr Coles crossed back, to make the voting 35 to 33 in the Government’s favour, and finally Mr Blackburn’s amendment was defeated on the voices. Commenting editorially on the anticonscription issue, the Sydney “Sun to-day says; “Australians who think find no reason to be proud of the fact that theirs is the only country involved in this global war which has carried on with a chaotic system involving two Army administrations and two war-time armies, only one of which has the legal right to hit out and keep the war from Australian S °Mr Curtin’s proposals to extend the liability for service of the militia will almost certainly be adopted by the Commonwealth conference of the Australian Labour Party next month. So far New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia have decided to support Mr Curtin, and Victoria is opposed. Queensland and Western Australia have not yet voted, but at least one of these states is expected to support the Prime Minister. The amendment to Mr Curtin s adjournment motion was; “That this House reaffirms the policy upon which the majority of its members was elected and that it opposes the imposition of any form of compulsory service outside Australia and its territories.” Political correspondents declare that the introduction of the _ amendment came as a surprise to senior Ministers. Mr Curtin, at a later meeting of the Labour caucus, is reported to have said that he would not tolerate elements in his own party who tried to embarrass him on the militia issue, and that before he would allow his own party to split in Parliament he would resign. When a suggestion by Mr Curtin that Mr Blackburn should agree to adjourn the House debate, leaving the question undecided, was approved by the caucus on the voices, the Labour Minister (Mr E. J. Ward) is reported to have protested violently. “One Labour senator squared up to Mr Ward before being pulled away.” declared the correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald.”