DUTCH FORCE LANDS IN EAST JAVA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25243, 23 July 1947, Page 7

DUTCH FORCE LANDS IN EAST JAVA

Escorting Warships Shell Banjuwangi

ADVANCE FROM SURABAYA REPORTED

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Ree. 11.4 a p.m.) BATAVIA, July 22. Landing craft of the Netherlands Royal Navy escorted bv warships yesterday landed a force, mainly Dutch marines at two points at the eastern end of Java. It is believed to be nart of a two-pronged drive to capture the whole of East Java P ”

A second force, about which there is still official silence is believed to have started from the Surabaya nerimeter »nd tn have advanced on the strategic rail and road junctions of Kertosong and nangii.

The landings were made at Banjuwangi, on the east coast, and at Pasir Puteh, which is on the north coast not far from the extreme north-eastern tip of Java, near SRubonda. A Dutch Navy communique says disembarkation was made with little oppositon after Republican positions had been shelled.

.The Dutch forces are now on each side of two active volcanoes, Mount Raung and Mount Merepi. They are not expected to meet much opposition because the main Republican forces, after long preparatory shellings on Banju-

wangi by the Dutch, withdrew in the direction of Malang. The Republicans have at least one division of troops at Malang, and another north of the Surabaya perimeter, which is now engaging the Dutch forces.