SYSTEMATIC LOOTING

Evening Star, Issue 24096, 17 January 1942, Page 7

SYSTEMATIC LOOTING

ENEMY PLUNDERING COUNTRYSIDE JAPANESE METHODS IN PHILIPPINES FIGHTING ALL ALONG FRONT LINE (British Official Wireless.) (Bee. 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 16. The United States war communique states; In the Philippine theatre ground fighting of varying intensity continues all along the front line. Enemy shock troops with special training are attempting an aggressive infiltration attack, planes and dive bombers being used incessantly against _ our front-line troops and artillery positions. Many reports reaching General Macarthur’s headquarters from occupied areas indicate that the enemy are systematically looting and devastating the entire countryside. There is nothing to report from other areas. U.S. NAVAL SUCCESS FIVE ENEMY VESSELS SUNK ACTION IN FAR EAST LONDON, Jan. 16. A Washington communique announces the destruction by the United States Asiatic fleet of five enemy vessels—three transports and two large cargo vessels. RAID IN FDRCE ENEMY PLANES OVER SINGAPORE LONDON, January 17. A message from Singapore reports the longest Japanese air raid of the war. Japanese planes were over Singapore for several hours on Friday morning, and bombs were dropped on widelyscattered areas. No details of the raid have yet been issued, but it is known that at least one Japanese bomber was brought down. R.A.A.F. FORAY JAPANESE ISLANDS ATTACKED (Rec. 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 16. The R.A.A.F. carried out an attack on the Japanese Caroline Islands last night. One of our aircraft did not return. The operations were hampered by bad weather. There lias been extensive Japanese reconnaissance of the Bismarck Archipelago to-day. FIGHTING IN BURMA ENEMY GROSS THAI FRONTIER LONDON, January 17. There has been fighting between Japanese and Imperial forces in Burma. Japanese troops are reported to have crossed the Thai frontier at one point, and fighting is taking place 20 miles inside Burmese territory. No details of the fighting or the extent of the invasion are available. CHINESE TROOPS IN BURMA PROCEEDING TO BATTLE SECTORS CHUNGKING, (Roc. 9.10 a.m.) Jan. 16. A second body of Chinese troops reached Burma and immediately proceeded to designated battle sectors. JAPANESE PRISONERS IN CALCUTTA LONDON, January 17. A number of Japanese prisoners have reached Calcutta from Singapore.