SUMATRA INVADED

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 February 1942, Page 5

SUMATRA INVADED

BY JAPANESEPARATROOPS BID FOR OIL RESOURCES "LONDON, Feb. 15. It is officially announced in Batavia that the Japanese to-day began a large-scale landing from the sea directed at Palembang, the oil-produc-ing centre on the island ol Sumatra; The destruction of valuable installations has begun. The attack was begun yesterday with large-scale landings of parachute troops. Several hundred air-borne troops were used in the attack, which was clearly directed against the Palembang oil refineries. Towards eveningtwo of the points at which, the ai was made were clear of the invaders. A resumption of the attack is expected If the Dutch destroy Sumatra’s oil resources it will be the greatest material voluntary destruction in the world’s history, greater even than the destruction of the Dnieper dam by the Russians. After the first shock, the Dutch describe the situation as not unfavourabßeinforcements for the Dutch forces in Java are reported to be on their way and it is stated that Australian, Imperial, and American troops are already there. . Palembang, which has a population of 120,000 and produces 4,500,000 tons of oil a year, was attacked with aircraft and parachute troops, which were dropped in three places. A vigorous resistance was made and dozens of parachutists were killed. The c of Palembang itself was not threatened at least there were not indications that parachutists approached or entered the city. Palembang lies 54 miles up the Moesi rover, which is navigable for ocean going ships only at high title Palembang supplies 60 per cent, o' the East Indies oil output. Having lost the Balik Papan and Tarakan oil, i Japanese are making a desperate attempt to get the Palembang oil installations intact. More than 100 enemy aeroplanes escorted by fighters took part in the attack, which was preceded by the dropping of parachutists. There is no report regarding the outcome of the fighting, but it is assumed the situation is not unfavourable.

Enemy reconnaissance flights over several parts of the outer provinces of Sumatra are being continued whn here and there attacks take place.

At Tandjong Pandang, capital of the tin-producing island of Billiton between Sumatra and Borneo, some bombs were dropped. One civilian was slightly wounded. Two fighters machine-gunned the airfield on the same island without causing damage or casualties. It is officially stated in Batavia that according to unconfirmed reports Banjermassin, on the extreme southeast of Borneo, has been occupied bj the Japanese. It is stated that the destruction ordered . has already been carried out, as had been done in other places in the archipelago when the danger from the enemy became imminent and when defence was not considered possible.

OBJECTIVES NOT REACHED

RUGBY, Feb. 15

The following communique was issued to-day by the headquarters of the Netherlands East Indies forces at Batavia: The Japanese on Saturday morning, launched an attack over Palembang, dropping large numbers of parachutists. One Japanese bomber was shot down. From three different points, a total of several hundreds of parachutists were dropped, according to a very rough estimate. They were armed with Tommy-guns, light mortars, and other weapons. The attacks were clearly directed against the oil refineries, but the enemy did not succeed in capturing them. Our troops did a good job, and made short work of the invaders. Towards evening, two points of attack were cleared of the parachutists, while on a third point we had the situation fully in hand, with only some tens of the enemy still alive. In connection with the large-scale landings, actions were expected in the course of this morning, and, while this communique was being issued, they were in full swing. We proceeded in the course of last night to carry out thorough destruction of all vital points in the vicinity of Palembang. Bombers of the Netherlands Indies Army this morning scored direct hits on three Japanese transport ships near Muntok, on Banka Island.

As has been reported previously from South Celebes, fighting there is continuing, especially in the vicinity of Macassar. Resistance is being maintained with great stubbornness. The Anambas Islands, east of Ma - laya, have been occupied by the Japanese. Slight enemy air activity is reported on various places in the outer provinces. Palembang is the largest oil tre in the Dutch East Indies, producing over half their total oil output. RAID BY R.AAF. BOMBERS MELBOURNE, February 15. A Royal Australian Air Force communique states that Royal Australian Air Force bombers raided grounded enemy aircraft and shipping at Gasmata, in New Britain, late yesterday. They encountered enemy fighters, but pressed home their attacks, causing large fires. All returned safely. The Australian Broadcasting Commission’s war correspondent in New Guinea reports that during a daylight reconnaissance Royal Australian Air Force aeroplanes saw a number of Japanese warships and supply-ships off the south coast of New Britain. They fought off an attack by Japanese fighters and continued their reconnaissance. ON AMBOINA ISLAND CANBERRA, February 15. The Australian Minister for tne Army (Mr. Forde) announced that men of the Australian Imperial Forces and native troops were believed to be still holding out in strong points on Amboina Island. The military authorities believed that some A.I.F. units had escaped in native boats. Mr. Forde said he had no further information about the beleagured garrison at Rabaul.

IN THE PHILIPPINES. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. WASHINGTON, February 14. A communique issued by the War Department states that operations in the Philippines in the past 24 hours included heavy artillery duelling and aggressive infantry skirmishes in the Batan Peninsula. In some sectors of the front, enemy troops are entrenching their positions. Enemy artillery fire from Cavite, on the shore of Manila Bay, was again directed against the harbour defences, but no material damage resulted. The enemy was active in the air over all parts of the fronts. There is nothing to report from other areas. Reuter’s correspondent on the Batan Peninsula states that vigorous counter-attacks by the Japanese have been repulsed. When volunteer Filipino troops found that the jungle was too close for their tanks they, jumped down, and cleared a passage with their bowie knives. They have also excelled themselves in hand-to-hand encounters.