DETERMINED DEFENCE

Evening Star, Issue 24138, 7 March 1942, Page 7

DETERMINED DEFENCE

GUERRILLA FIGHTING UN OTHER ISLANDS NEWS DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN (Rec. noon.) LONDON, March 6. It is pointed out in authoritative circles in London that, although there is little fresh news from Java, the Allied troops are making an extremely determined defence. It is also pointed out that, although there may be no news of the lighting in the other islands such as Sumatra, Borneo, Timor, and Celebes, it should not be inferred that there is no fighting going on. Although the Japanese claim to be in control of these islands, they only speak of ports and aerodromes. But the Dutch and their Allies have by no means thrown in their hands. When troops take to this type of guerrilla fighting news is difficult to obtain, ns any wireless sets they possess would not have the range to give details of what is happening. DUTCH STRATEGY LCNG-RANGE STRUGGLE BANDOENG, March 6. At last night’s extraordinary session of tho College of Delegates of the North-east Indies Volksraad, Dr Van Mook gave a frank review of the present situation in which he affirmed the intention of Java’s military leaders to concentrate their forces for the defence of certain areas where geographical conditions would enable the Dutch and Allied troops to resist superior numbers. The correspondent of the Associated Press says that this may be interpreted thifc when the first phase of the Battle of Java—the slowing down of the enemy invasion troops on the north Java plains—has ended, the main body of the Java army will begin a determined long-range struggle in South Java’s mountain regions while awaiting Allied actions against Japan’s supply lines in order to relieve the, pressure on Java. Dr Van Mook said that the Dutch forces had sunk or put out of action about 15 cruisers, 10 destroyers, 40 transport ships, 5 tankers, and 2 subi marines. “ These heavy losses,” said ! Dr Van Mook, “do not include the equally heavy' losses inflicted on Japan by American and English ships and American, Australian, and British aircraft.” He gave an assurance of Allied support, and said: “On no account allow yourselves to be dominated by the thought that we have been left to fight alone.’ Dr Van Mook paid tribute to the British, Australian, and American forces who were fighting with the Dutch. It was essential, he said, that the Dutch should conduct themselves valiantly so that they might uphold their place among the other nations of the world. The stubborn little army of the Dutch commander in the East Indies, Lieuten-ant-general H. ter Poorten, has yielded more ground in the west, centre, and the east, says the Bandoeng correspondent of the ‘ Daily Express.’ It is impossible for the Dutch to establish a regular front at any point in this war, in which, tho enemy has moved from tree to tree, from plantation to plantation, and along roads which cannot be protected by anti-tank barriers, armoured cars, or trucks. The Dutch troops who have been in the fdrward positions say that they can obtain a glimpse of the enemy if' they are lucky, but usually thev have been attacked from three sides without catching a glimpse of the little yellow men w’itli tommy guns. The Japanese have reached points 13 miles west and 50 miles east of Batavia, the correspondent acids.