FURTHER LANDINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1942, Page 5

FURTHER LANDINGS

JAPANESE ON SINGAPORE

ALLIED TROOPS RETREATING

“MILITARY POSITION SERIOUS”

SINGAPORE, February 10.

A special communique issued in Singapore early this morning admitted that there had been a further withdrawal of our troops owing to strong enemy attacks, supplemented by dive-bombing and machine-gunning from the air throughout the day, in addition to a heavy enemy bombardment. The Japanese have made further landings on Singapore Island, in the north and just west of the causeway. Another official communique said that the enemy had succeeded in making three further landings between Kranji and Mandai. The Japanese had kept up constant attacks on the defending troops in the western sector, and in this area enemy bombers flying high in big formations had carried out dive-bombing. “In spite of stubborn resistance,’’ said the communique, “the defending troops have had to make further withdrawals.”

“The military position on Singapore Island late this afternoon can only be described as serious,” says the Official Australian War Correspondent (hergeant lan Fitchett) in an earlier message. “Japanese landings under intense artillery lire soon had our forward troops in trouble, and they had to fall back. In desperate early-morn-ing fighting party after party found their way out cut off, and infantry, gunners, and anti-tank men joined together to get themselves and their gear out. Reinforcements of Indians as well as further Australians were rushed to the area, but dawn gave light for the enemy bombers again, and they have been at it all day. Our fighters made a gallant effort to aid our troops, but bgyond artillery fire we can do little to prevent the enemy’s flow of boats from the mainland. Our troops have done their best all day, but it is the old story of huge numbers crushing thinly-held lines.”

CAUSEWAY REPAIRED

NEW YORK, Feb. 10

The Tokio official broadcast claims that the causeway over the Strait between the island of Singapore and Johore has been repaired, and that Japanese troops and supplies are pouring into the island. The Berlin radio quoting the Domei News Agency, from Johore Bahru, stated: Japanese forces have now landed at a point eastwards of the causeway, and are advancing in a southerly direction, after capturing enemy pillbox fortifications.

ENEMY’S HUGE LOSSES

SINGAPORE, Feb. 10

It is learned, unofficially, that the Japanese on Monday night strongly reinforced the original strong force which they landed on Singapore Island on the night of Sunday. The Australian war correspondent here, supplementing earlier messages reports: “The Japanese, in addition to an infiltration eastwards, have landed fresh troops overnight in the Kranji estuary. They have been hotly engaged by the Australians. “A line that was established after Sunday night’s withdrawal is still being held by our troops, but the enemy has now gained a considerable reinforcement at this point. “There is further evidence that Japanese are using steel troop-land-ing craft.” The correspondent adds: “The Japanese casualties must be huge, but they seem to be able to pour in more and more rfien. It was known that they had five divisions in Malaya, and everything pointed to the fact that they all were assembled in South Johore for the assault on the island.” An observer states that the Australians who met the landing worked well and moved back to establish a line covering the whole 10-mile front. Fighting continues in mud caused by torrential rain. The fighting area is 10 miles north-west of Singapore city.

NEARING THE CITY

LONDON, Feb. 10

The Tokio radio claims that the Japanese, advancing under the protection of heavy artillery have reached a point nine miles from the city of Singapore. It also claims the capture of Tengah aerodrome, north-west of Singapore, described as one of the island's four main airfields. The main front now stretches from Tengah in a north-easterly direction to the area of the naval base at Seletar.

Severe fighting is progressing for the possession of Singapore harbour.

CLAIMS UNCONFIRMED

RUGBY, February 10. The situation on Singapore Island is changing rapidly, but it is considered very unlikely by military circles in London that the Japanese have reached a point within five miles of Singapore city, as they claim. There is however, no indication at the moment of any successful counter-offensives. The Japanese claims to have mended the causeway, and bringing troops across, are likewise unconfirmed, though the former operation is not thought inconceivable.

Sungei Mandai, in which area the Japanese made further landings, is a small creek running in on the nortth side of the island, west of the causeway, just under two miles east of Sungei Kranji.

DEMAND FOR SURRENDER?

LONDON, Feb. 10

The Japanese Commander, General Hamishita, is reported to have demanded the surrender of Singapore from General Percival. HOSPITAL BOMBED SINGAPORE, Feb. 10. The city had only one alert on Tuesday morning, but the enemy air activity has been constant over the northern part of the island. The Singapore Hospital received a direct hit in to-day’s raids. CONCERN IN CHINA. (Rec. 1.25 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 10. The Chinese Government spokesman said that China is becoming more and more concerned over the situation in Singapore and Burma, but remains confident of eventual victory for the united nations. “China has had only too many trying experiences, to give way too much to pessimism,” he said. “We may particularly underscore the fact that, if the defence of Burma is successfully carried out, the Allies will have every reason to count on the steady growth of China’s help, and the effectiveness of China as a potential base for a counter-offensive against Japan. U.S. CONSULATE CLOSED LONDON, Feb. 10. The United States Consul-General, Mr. Kenneth Patton, has closed the consulate in Singapore. He has hand-

ed over American interests to the care of the Swiss Consulate. The Consul-General and two Consuls are remaining in Singapore until it is possible to leave. PACIFIC WAR’COUNCIL RUGBY, February 10. The Pacific War Council met at No. 10 Downing Street, this afternoon, Mr. Churchill presiding; also present were Mr. Attlee, Mr. Eden, Mr. Gerbrandy (Netherlands Premier), M. Van Verduynen (Netherlands Minister), Sir Earle Page, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Amery, Sir Dudley Pound, Sir Alan Brooke, and Sir Charles Portal.

CAMPAIGN IN BURMA.

JAPANESE HELD UP

LONDON, February 10. No change is reported on the Salween front in Burma. The Japanese are still held on the further side of the river from Rangoon, and apparently do not consider themselves in a sufficiently strong position to risk yet a further thrust forward. The defenders are relentlessly harassing the Japanese positions.

SALWEEN RIVER CROSSED? RUGEY, February 10. The Japanese claim to have crossed the Salween River in force, and to be advancing on Rangoon, receives no canfirmation whatever in military quarters in London. u.s. aerial“successes RANGOON, February 10. According to official figures, the American volunteer group of airmen have thus far shot down 123 Japanese planes over Burma and enemy territory and in addition 30 over China. Of these 43 were bombers. The Japanese have lost at least 300 trained members of air crews, whereas the Americans have lost four killed and one is believed to be a prisoner. IN THE PHILIPPINES ENEMY CASUALTIES HEAVY (Recd. 10.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 10. A War Department communique states: Philippine theatre: Fighting on the Batan Peninsula is intermittent, but is particularly savage. The enemy suffered heavy casualties. Seven Japanese planes were shot down in the past 24 hours, bringing the total since the outbreak to 163.

On the ground, the American forces are encountering increasingly heavy odds. Hawaii area: The Army transport Royal T. Frank, 224 tons, was torpedo and sunk on January 28. Thirtythree survivors have reached an Hawaiian port, but 29 were lost. Netherlands: In a minor action, a small formation of our fighter planes encountered Japanese bombers, one of which was destroyed. Our planes were undamaged. AGAINST GREAT ODDS. RUGBY, Feb. 10. The Washington War Department states: General Macarthur has emphasised the grim determination of his American and Filipino troops. The identification of five veteran Japanese divisions on the Batan Peninsula, in audition to many other supporting troops, and reported landings and reinforcements in the Lingaryen Gulf area, have indicated the heavy odds against them. Fire directed against our forts from concealed enemy batteries along the Cavite shore continues. Our counterbattery fire met with some succefes. A later communique reports: “Philippines: On our left, a local counterattack by our troops cleaned up the remnants of Japanese units which had previously filtered t through our lines. Enemy attacks to relieve isolated detachments, and renewed attempts at landing on the west coast, were repulsed by our artillery. On the right, there were sharp patrol actions, while in the centre the enemy pressure was increased. Fort Drum was under enemy artillery fire for a brief period. Our counter-battery fire is believed to have been effective. Enemy reinforcements, which have been particularly heavy during the past few days, are making their presence in Batan increasingly evident.”

WARNING TO HAWAII

(Recd. 12.50 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.

Mr. Guy Swope, Director of the Division of Territories and Island Possessions, said to-day that women and children in Hawaii were being urged to evacuate the islands.