PASSING FROM JUNGLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 2, 3 January 1942, Page 7

PASSING FROM JUNGLE

SECOND OFFENSIVE

(Rec. 12.45 p.m.)

SINGAPORE, January 2

The second revival of activity on the Perak front seems to indicate that the Japanese second offensive is getting under way.

' General headquarters was well prepared in advance for such a move. Dispositions have been made to meet a threat wherever it comes. Fighting is now taking place in more open country, which does not. afford the Japanese much opportunity for employing the cover they have had in the jungle and rubber plantations.

The Japanese so far have shown a great dislike for fighting in open country. They prefer always to fight in the thickest jungle, a form of combat

at which they have shown themselves most efficient.

Wherever they have encountered British troops in open country their casualties have been very high.

There is still very little activity on the east coast. Kuantan remains the scene of minor patrol encounters, in which the Indian defenders are excelling.

The British forces fighting on the north-western front at present are threatened from the rear by Japanese units which have made a landing from small craft in the region of the mouth of the Perak River.