MALAYAN FRONT

Evening Star, Issue 24081, 30 December 1941, Page 3

MALAYAN FRONT

SITUATION UNCHANGED IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH ENEMY (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. TO a.ni.) I! L'GBY, Dec. 29. A Far Fast war cannnuniciuo from Singapore, states that on the i’orak front our forces arc in c!o.-.e contact with the enemy south of ipol l . Kl.scwhere the .Malaya .situation remains unchanged. On the east coast at Kuatan some enemy aircraft bombed and machine-gunned our posts, lint caused no damage or casualties. Medium 11. A.F. bombers carried out another ijttack on the aerodrome at Sungei Patani last night, causing a number of fires and explosions. _ lleconnaissancos confirm that during the attack on the same target on the previous night seven enemy fighters and three heavy bombers wore destroyed, and live other enemy lighters were badly damaged. Kncmy aircraft carried out raids on Medan ' (Sumatra) and Port Swcttenham vosterday. Slight damage has been reported. One enemy aircraft was shot clown by anti-aircraft fire at Port Hwettenham and at least one other damaged. There was a raid this morning on the Knlang aerodrome. CAPITAL OF SARAWAK CAPTURED BY JAPANESE LONDON', Dec. 20. Medium bombers of the Royal Air Force raided the enemy aerodrome at Sangi Patari and a number of fires and explosions were caused. It was ascertained that in the previous raid seven enemy fighters were destroyed and five others damaged. . , . The enemy iias occupied Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, and in Sumatra, where Japanese parachute troops were lauded, fierce fighting is in progress for possession of an aerodrome. Australian bombers scored hits on a light Japanese cruiser off Ball. OCCUPATION CONFIRMED (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 9.25 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 29. Reports regarding Sarawak confirm the Japanese occupation of Kuching. GENERAL POSITION WELL IN HAND JAPANESE RETREATING AT SOME POINTS (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) SINGAPORE, Dec. 29. The establishment of_ martial law throughout Malaya is expected. Malaya’s civil administration has been strained severely by the war, and stern measures arc now believed, necessary to control the populace, maintain morale, and prevent breakdowns, particularly in Northern Malaya. The whole population of Singapore is obliged to register and carry identity cards, thus minimising “fifth column” danger. An American officer who returned from the northern front reported that the Japanese have started retreating at some points. The officer added that the general situation was well in hand. A Batavia message, says Japanese bombers attacked the aerodrome at Medan on Sunday and destroyed the K.N.I.L.M. office and a Dutch plane which was about to start. Sorong, in North-west New Guinea, was also bombed. Houses, shops, and offices were destroyed or damaged. Many fires are still raging. One person was killed and a number injured. Australian bombers scored direct hits on phe stern of a small Japanese cruiser in north Minahasa. It is reported from Honolulu that submarines sank the American freighters Prusa and Mnnini. Nino persons were killed and 12 are missing. JAPANESE CLAIMS (Rec. 12.20 p.m.) TOKIO, Dec. 29. An official statement says that Ipoh (Malaya) and Kuching (Sarawak) have been captured. HEROIC DEFENCE WAKE ISLAND GARRISON (Rec. 10.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Doc, 28. The Navy Department disclosed tonight that “ the handful of defenders ” of Wake Island before the invasion sank a Japanese submarine and cruiser and a destroyer. Furthermore, they damaged several warships, including two destx-oyers and two auxiliaries. The Wake “ air force,” reduced to two planes, bombed and disabled two Japanese destroyers. FALL OF HONGKONG JAPANESE HOLD TRIUMPHAL REVIEW NEW YORK, Dec. 28. The Tokio radio reports that the Japanese held a triumphal review in Hongkong, Vice-Admiral Masaichi Niimi and Lieutenant-general Ryu Sakai, who commanded the naval and l military forces against Hongkong, reviewed the troops at Kowloon. They then crossed to the scene of the first Japanese landing on Hongkong Island. Arriving at Victoria on horseback, they inspected the army units lining Queen’s road, while army and navy planes roared overhead. * The two commanders then addressed an assembly of detachment commanders at Government House. The Tokio radio announced that over 6,000 British prisoners were counted up to December 27.