DUTCH ARMY GAINS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25246, 26 July 1947, Page 9

DUTCH ARMY GAINS

Major Advances In West Java

INITIAL DRIVES LINKED UP (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.30 a.m.) BATAVIA, July 25. Dutch troops now occupied or held positions in 16 of Java’s 24 pre-war residencies, according to the latest reports of advances given in to-day’s Dutch Army communique. The most important gains are in West Java, where the fall of Purwakarta, on the railway leading to Central Java, is confirmed. The Republicans are reported to have had their divisional headquarters in the town. Advancing to the south-east of the pre-war summer capital, Bandoeng, along the railway towards Tasikmalaya, in the heart of some of Java’s most fertile plantation country, the Dutch have taken Thitjalengka, Pasar Bungur, and Pegadan Baroe. A surprise attack on Pasaruan, in East Java, enabled the Dutch to link up the Marines who landed at the eastern tip of Java with the drive south from the Porong end of the Surabaya front. Pamanukan Occupied

The occupation of Pamanukan, on the north coast between Batavia and Cheribon, means that the Dutch forces have completed their drive north from Sabang. The freehold' title of all the territory in this region is owned by the Anglo-Dutch Plantation Company, with headquarters in London and Amsterdam. The firm is the biggest freehold owner of plantation land in Java. Before the war it used Pamanukan for the export of its products, including tea. rubber, sisal, coffee, and teak. The communique reports that Cheribon was taken by surprise on Wednesday, as the Republicans did not exf>ect the town to be attacked from the and.

In Salatiga, in Central Java, the Chinese quarter suffered heavily from arson and plundering. Some Dutch Eurasians were rescued. In Sumatra, armed Republican groups on Tuesday and Wednesday made two attacks on Bindjai, near Medan, which has Just been occupied by Netherlands troops. There were some attacks on Dutch posts and patrols east of the city, but clearing actions were now being carried out. A large quantity of arms has been confiscated near Padang, on the west coast of Sumatra, while the Dutch advance from Palembang has reached Baturadja, 110 miles south-west of the city.

The communique adds: “The populations’ attitude towards the Netherlands troops could hardly be bettered. Here and there they show themselves a little uncertain, but elsewhere, for instance at Cheribon and in various places in West Java and East Java, our troops have been greeted with enthusiasm. From a military standpoint, there is hardly any resistance worth the name.”