NEW GUINEA’S DANGER

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 January 1942, Page 5

NEW GUINEA’S DANGER

JAP. ATTACK IN FORCE

MENACE TO AUSTRALIA

Heavy Fighting In Burma

LONDON, January 22. This morning’s messages from the Far East indicate an ambitious Japanese scheme to obtain island bases in the south-west Pacific, with the object of severing communications between Australia and Singapore. The Australian Minister for Air (Mr. Drakeford) said the Japanese had more than one aircraft-carrier, and shore-based aircraft, as well as covering naval forces, in the Bismarck Archipelago. There was reason to believe that an enemy landing in New Guinea might be attempted to-day. “The enemy may be expected to launch a full-scale assault on New Guinea, with the object of obtaining bases for an attack on Australia,’ said Mr. Drakeford. There was reason to believe that the Japanese had temporarily put out of action the wireless stations in New Guinea. Rabaul had been attacked again this morning, and women and children were already being evacuated from Rabaul. It is thought m London that the Japanese are ready to risk attacks oy Australian fighter aircraft to gam control of Torres Strait, thus severing one of the links between Australia and Singapore. TOWN EVACUATED. MELBOURNE, January 23. All communications from Rabaul ceased at 4 p.m. on Thursday, and despite all attempts by the Service Chiefs, no further information had been obtained by 12.30 o clock this (Friday) morning on the situation in the area. It is believed that the wireless telegraph stations m Rabaul have been demolished by our own forces, and that the town has been evacuated. It is not known at present whether any Japanese force has attempted a landing. At 3.30 p.m. yesterday (Thursday) 11 Japanese ships, including naval forces, were sighted between 30 and 40 miles off Watom Island. This island is about 15 miles north-west ol Rabaul. , „ ~ Japanese air attacks of the utmost ■ferocity were continued throughout yesterday (Thursday), over the entire Bismarck Archipelago. These attacks extended to as far distant as the Solomon Islands, which are 600 miles distant from Rabaul. Attacks on Thursday were made on Rabaul by two waves ol Japanese aircraft, each wave consisting of about 40 lighters and bombers. Tne enemy attacked with both bombs and machine-gun fire. Some damage was caused to the service installations.

WOMEN & CHILDREN REMOVED

MELBOURNE, January 23. Service officials indicated at midnight that the position of the entire New Guinea area had become much graver, although latest wiieless ieports that enemy landings had actually been effected in the Archipelago were not confirmed. In the absence oi definite information from Rabaul itself, the fate of the garrison stationed in the town is unknown. Details of the evacuation pl ail women and children in Rabaul, completed some time ago, were released by the Government yesterday. Under the organisation of the Air Force, a system of air ferries was established with R.A.A.F. machines and civil airliners. By this method, /00 women and children were carried away to a schedule that went through to the minute.

OPERATIONS IN MALAYA. RAIDS ON SINGAPORE. LONDON, January 22. The latest Singapore communique reports contact in the north-east ol Johore with parties of the enemy which pushed south from the Endau River. In the north-west, heavy lighting continues in the Bukit Payong area, and there has been patrol activity round Batu Pahat. About 100 enemy aircraft wok part in yesterday’s raid on Singapore, says the communique. Some damage to ' military objectives, chiefly buildings, is reported. Casualties sustained in the raid show that 304 persons were killed and bzo wounded, with 100 slightly wounded. Enemy aircraft raided Singapore again to-day. Five of the attacking bombers were shot down, and one enemy fighter was damaged.

PATROL ACTIVITY. RUGBY, January 22. An official communique from Singapore states: In north-east Johore there has been contact noith ot Mersing between enemy parties pushing south from Endau and out troops, who successfully ambushed part of the enemy, inflicting a number of casualties, with slight loss to j ourselves. In the west, heavy fighting continues in the Bukit Payong area. Some patrol activity is reported in the area of Batu Pahat. Yesterday afternoon, aircraft carried out a successful attack on enemy transport north of Parit Bulong. A number of bombs hit the roadway among vehicles, many of which were destroyed or damaged. The remainder of the convoy was machinegunned from a low altitude. This morning another attack was made on enemy mechanised transport in the same area. A number of vehicles were completely wrecked, and othei s damaged. Machine-gun attacks were carried out on staff cars and loiries. Mention in this morning’s Singapore communique of enemy parties pushing south from Endau, is taken in authoritaitve quarters in London, to indicate that a further shght withdrawal on the east coast, of Malaya has been made by the British ioices, since the latest information had indicated that Endau was still in British hands. . , , It is announced in London tnar among the regiments fighting m Malaya are the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders .the East Surreys, and the Leicesters. AUSSIES HARD PRESSED (Recd. 1.15) SINGAPORE, Jan. 22 Decisions profoundly affecting the future of the fighting in North Johore are believed to have been taken at a conference of generals, held at a rubber plantation in Malaya on Wednesday. General Bennett indicated to inteiviewers he was anxious conceining the Imperial left flank in the Muar area These troops were now fighting a tense action. The Japanese have brought up fresh picked troops in this area, and fighting has reached a vital stase The report that the Australians were within a few miles of the Jap-anese-held Muar was premature, says the Associated Press correspondent. Mention of Hurricane fighters having shot down five Japanese raiders over Singapore yesterday, indicates that air reinforcements are arriving in Malaya. This is the first time that Hurricanes have been reported in action at Singapore. Japanese bombs almost demolished the principal Catholic church at Singapore. Other churches suffered severely. The Court House was wrecked. Many other public buildings and two schools received direct bomb hits.

ON WAVELL’S STAFF (Recd. 1.25) MELBOURNE, Jan. 22. At the request of General Wavell, five Australian staff officers have been appointed to his staff, by the Federal Government. The officers concerned are all from the Middle East. CHINESE CONFIDENCE. (Recd. 11.50 a.m.) CHUNGKING, January 21. The Government spokesman said that 40,000 Japanese civilians had been evacuated from different parts of Japan to Shanghai, owing to the fear of Allied bombings. He also said that the Chinese Government was confident Singapore would not fall. The spokesman added that the Japanese now have air superiority in Malaya, but that might soon be changed.

FIGHTING IN BURMA. CHINESE AID AVAILABLE. RANGOON, January 22. There is fierce fighting in the Kawkareik area, east of Moulmein. British bombers and United States fighters are taking part. Yesterday’s Rangoon communique said: “Our forces were fighting throughout the day in the Kawkareik area and resisting strongly. Heavy fighting is still in progress.” Kawkareik is 45 miles east of Moulmein. A Tokio report claims that the Japanese troops advancing on Moulmein have, after heavy fighting, broken the resistance of 40,000 British troops opposing them. i “If General Hutton wants more men there are thousands of fit Chinese warriors eager for action,” said General Liu Kwang-loong, leader of the Chinese forces in Burma, according to the Rangoon correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain. General Liu Kwan-loong added: “My troops are skilled veterans. They have been fighting for years and have participated in many major battles.” General Liu Kwan-loong has conferred with the British High Command in Burma and arranged for Chinese troops to guard a section of Burma’s north-eastern frontier, where mountains 7000 feet high are cut by gorses. b Lieutenant-General T. J. Hutton, British commander in Burma, said that the number of Chinese was considerable, and probably more were arriving. The Chinese rifles and automatics were excellent. The men were disciplined and mobile, and had plenty of artillery suitable for mountain war--18 General Liu Kwan-loong said his force had trekked from South Kwangsi entirely by foot, without mules or motor-lorried. The men carried supplies rifles, and mountain artillery on long ’daily forced marches. NEW ENEMY THRUSTS

(Recd. Noon). LONDON, January 21. While it is officially stated in Rangoon that new Japanese thrusts into Burma are expected almost certainly within the next ten days, a correspondent reports that preparations are being made for a British stand at Moulmein. . ~ Besides the Thai troops m the Miyawaddy area, Thailanders are engaged in South Burma and other parts of the frontier. A Burmese official said: “If Thailanders are allowing the army to attack Burma, in addition to leasing territory to Japan, it is time we ceased to entertain the hope ot finding honour in Thailand. Thailand s co-operation with the Japanese forces has caused widespread anger.” Additional Chinese reinforcements have joined the British defenders of Burma. . The Berlin radio quoted a Tokio claim that Japanese forces had crossed the Slaween river on the Burma-Thai border, thus creating a third front, and aiming to cut the Burma road. The Japanese are now threatening Moulmein from three sides.

ENEMY HELD. LONDON, January 22. • A Rangoon communique states: Effectively supported by the R.A.F., our troops have given a good account of themselves in the Kawareik area, causing the enemy heavy casualties, and stopping him wherever they met him. DUTCH EAST INDIES. RUGBY, January 22. A Batavia communique states: Slight enemy air activity is observed over many points of our outer possessions, combined with bombarding and machine-gunning, which caused little damage. Celawan and Deli were again bombed this morning. An enemy plane bombed ships off the coast of North Sumatra. JAPANESE CLAIMS. NEW YORK, January 22. The Tokio official radio announced that Imperial Headquarters claimed the destruction of 10 Netherlands East Indies aircraft, including six flying boats, since January 15. It also claimed to have shot down four Curtiss Tomahawk fighters in the Philippines in a 15-minute battle on Thursday. DR. VAN MOOK’S APPEAL.

(Recd. 11.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, January 21. Dr. Van Mook, broadcasting, urged the immediate despatch of United States naval, air, and land forces to the East Indies and Malaya, declaring that their capture would mean the isolation of Australia and the loss oi the best bases for counter-attacking the Japanese. “The East Indies and Malaya constitute a wall between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Once it is lost to the enemy, Japan will be able to close the Burma Road, and also to threaten communications with the Middle East and Russia through the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.” STREAM STARTED WASHINGTON, January 22. A high Government official said that the vast emergency military steps taken since December 7, had resulted in unprecedented strengthening of the entire west coast defences and Hawaii, paving the way to reinforcements for south-west Pacific. The high official said that the stream of reinforcements to southwest Pacific had already begun. Within the United States, six hundred thousand troops had shifted to new positions in less than seven weeks. The advantage that Japan gained on December 7, had been largely offset by the mounting flow of long-range bombers. He added it looked as if the United States had lost control of the I seas for the time being. To meet this, I the army had thrown in big bombers to plug the defence leak in the west. The production of aircraft was rising steadily. The nation had sufficient bombers and .fighters to meet an emergency. SUPPLIES COUNCIL. ! RUGBY, January 22. i A further step towards complete co-operation by the Allies in the

Pacific is seen in London by the announcement that the Netherlands Government has decided on the immediate participation of the Netherlands East Indies, as an associated member of the Eastern Group Supply Council, and appointed as its representative Mr. Walter, formerly Netherlands Minister of Colonies, who is about to proceed to the Council’s headquarters, Delhi. The Council, among other things, has been instrumental in stimulating a remarkable rise in the output of munitions in New Zealand, Australia, India, and South Africa. The association of the Netherlands East Indies in the Council work will complete pooling of resources, and joint action to meet the military requirements in the eastern group. It is as logical a recognition of supply, as the appointffient of General Wavell was on the operation side, of the identity of interest between the Dutch and British, in face of the common enemy.

PHILIPPINES DEFENCE. JAP. ATTACKS RENEWED. RUGBY, January 22. To-day’s United States War Department communique from Washington states: In the Philippines, the Japanese are renewing their attacks all along General McArthur’s line. Particularly heavy fighting is in progress on the left and on the centre of Stopeneoy. Reinforcements are being landed at Laigayen Gulf. The entire Japanese Fourteenth Army, with a number of other units, are now in Luzon. Air activity in Luzon has been light during the past 24 hours. On Sunday, 17 enemy bombers attacked the city of Cebu.

air superiority. CRITICAL THIRTY DAYS. NEW YORK, January 21. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that following the conference between Mr Roosevelt and Dr. H. J. van Mook, Lieutenant Governor-General of the Netherlands East Indies, the opinion was expressed in high official circles that if Singapore and the East Indies can hold out for 30 days the Aliled nations will have air superiority over the Japanese in the south-western Pacific. Asked whether he thought that officials in Washington appreciated the importance of this area, Dr. van Mook replied: “I certainly do. There were some doubts in my mind when I first came here, but now I think very definitely that Government, minds, both in London and Washington, appreciate the importance of the area.” A Toronto message says that Mr Hugh Grant, formerly United States Minister in Thailand, interviewed by the Canadian Press Association today, said that the Allies were bound to gain control of the air in the Pacific, perhaps within a few weeks, and would bomb Japan into collapse after cutting her long lines of communication. Emphasising that these were personal opinions, Mr Grant said he would not be surprised if Singapore fell, but every gain meant that the Japanese were more open to attack. , _ The United States State Departmem has issued a statement that Senator Connally’s views (that the fall of Singapore is inevitable) are not the views of the United States Government. • CHINESE SUCCESSES CHUNGKING, Jan. 21. A communique states: Four hundred of a thousand Japanese, besieged on the Hwaiyang-Honan front, were killed while attempting to break out. Chinese units operating in the Can-ton-Kwantung area routed Japanese outposts, and sank two enemy motorboats off the shore. Successful sorties were made at Hupeh. Chinese bombers dropped twenty tons of explosives-on a Japanese airbase in Indo-China, causing heavy damage. All the planes returned safely-

BRITISH SUBJECTS DETAINED. RUGBY, January 22. Very few particulars are available regarding individual British subjects in enemy-occupied territory in the Far East, but it has been learned, through official channels, that towards the end of December, British officials at Shanghai, Canton, Hankow, Tientsin, and Pekin, were confined in hotels, or Consular compounds, and were being well treated. Other British subjects there were not interned. The banks had opened, but withdrawals from British deposits are restricted to two thousand local dollars monthly. The international and French municipalities were co-oper-ating with the Japanese to maintain order, and ensure a supply of food and other essentials. Urgent cases of distress are being assisted by the Swiss Consul General.

Other information regarding Shanghai is that British subjects are required to register themselves, and their property, that all broadcasting stations and newspapers and most British banks, clubs, missionary property, etc., have been taken, that rice is rationed, and that there is a shortage of coal and petrol. According to a telegram sent by the British Ambassador at Chungking on January 9, the British Consul General at Amoy had been interned at the Amoy Club, and other British subjects were released on parole, after several days’ detention. At Hangkow, foreigners were reported safe and well, up to December 19, but were confined to their homes. At Saigon, nine British subjects, formerly in confinement, have been assigned a fixed residence, but with permission to circulate freely. All other British subjects, who have resided for 15 years in Indo-China, were free at the time of this report, and safe conducts for movement outside their places of residence were being issued by the French police.—B.O.W. “BUSINESS AS USUAL.” WELLINGTON, January 23. An interesting business cablegram from Singapore yesterday, and received by a firm here to-day, reads: “Send orders for execution if tonnage available.” It refers to pineapples.