PALEMBANG FALLS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1942, Page 5

PALEMBANG FALLS

OCCUPIED BY JAPANESE dutch destroy oilfields LONDON, February 16. Reuter says it is announced in Batavia that the Japanese have occupied Palembang, the great oil centre in eastern Sumatra. An earlier report from Batavia said the Japanese had begun large-scale landing operations against Palembang. This attack was preceded by the dropping of 700 paratroops, who attempted to capture the oil refineries, but failed. The Dutch last night began the destruction of all vital points near Palembang. It is understood that the destroying of the Palembang oilfields is the greatest instance of deliberate destruction in the world’s history. Beside it, the Russians’ destruction of the Dnieper dam was a mere splash in the bucket. , The output of these fields exceeds the entire output of Rumania. They produced nearly 4 500,000 tons a year, more than half the entire output of the Netherlands East Indies. The demolition was a gigantic task. The Dutch had been preparing for it for two years. Their weapons were fire, dynamite, and cement. At Palembang shorter warning was given than was expected as it was not thought that the Japanese would by-pass Singapore. Nevertheless, it is reported that the demolition was thorough.

DUTCH COMMUNIQUE BATAVIA, Feb. 16. A Dutch communique has announced the fall of Palembang. It states: “After parachutist attacks were started, strong action was taken, and, towards Saturday evening, a large part of the parachutists had been dealt with. Troops garrisoned in and around Palembang had the situation in hand. “In the meantime, a strong enemy fleet was noticed in the Banka Straits. As a large-scale attack could be expected on Sunday, we proceeded, during Saturday night, completely to destroy the oil installations near Palembang. Early on Sunday morning, large scale bombardments on the Japanese fleet began. Several successes were obtained. American, British and Netherlands aircraft took part. Seven direct hits were scored. “On the Moesti Estuary, the Japanese transferred their troops into all kinds of small craft—sloops, motorboats, sampans and rowing boats. Then they sailed into various rivers and creeks. They were continually harassed by our low-flying fighters and bombers, which played murderous havoc among thousands of the invaders. “An attack was directed against the town of Palembang, which was occupied by the Japanese after fierce fighting.” ALLIED AIRCRAFT TAKE TOLL RUGBY, Feb. 16. A South-west Pacific Command communique states: Reports about the action in the Palembang area on February 14/15 show that tne Allied bombers and fighters gave all possible support to the land forces defending the area. Hurricanes and Blenheims of the R.A.F. caused great devastation by low-flying attacks on barges packed with enemy troops, which were moving up the river in the direction of Palembang. Some of the Hur-ricanes—eight-gun fighters—made as many as six separate sorties during the day, only ceasing their efforts when it was no longer possible to use their aerodromes to refuel and rearm. Dutch and American aircraft were meantime vigorously attacking transports and warships off the coast. Hits are claimed on five transports, and two cruisers, one of which was set on fire. “SUMATRA MUST FALL.” WASHINGTON, February 16. It is the considered judgment of responsible officials here that the fall of Singapore marks the darkest moment of the war for the United States. It is generally conceded that Sumatra also must fall. This means the cutting off of the United Nations from the main supply of petroleum m the south-west Pacific. . It likewise will mean allowing the Japanese a free passage into the Indian Ocean, from which they can raid the Allied supply lines to China, to Suez, and to the Persian Gulf. If Java falls, it is conceded that the Allies not only will have difficulty in regaining a foothold in Malaya, but they may not be able to supply and build up the force that they have started to build in Australia. SERIOUS LOSS TO ALLIES BATAVIA, February 16. The Netherlands Indies lost 22| per cent, of their oil by the destruction of the Balik Papan and Tarakan fields. If the south Sumatra fields go, they will have lost 88 per cent, leaving only 12 per cent, (produced in Java) for Allied use. There are large supplies and stores in Java, but when these are exhausted production will be insufficient to maintain the Allied war machine here without bringing oil from the United States and the Persian Gulf .The total Netherlands Indies oil production is 8,000,000 tons annually. Of this 4,300,000 tons are produced at Palembang, and the nearby Djambi fields, wherefrom it is pumped to Palembang. The latter’s refineries and surface workings alone are valued at £70,000,000. The two big Australian refineries adjoin, and together cover a block of four miles by three.

JAVA LANDING REPORTED. LONDON, February 16. There are unconfirmed reports of a Japanese landing on Java which with its 70,000,000 inhabitants, is the key island of the Netherlands East Indies. A direct attack on Java has been expected. The Italian Stefam News Agency declares that Japanese troops, strongly supported by warships, have landed in Java. NEW GUINEA BOMBED. "RUGBY, Feb. 16. A Batavia communique states: A small place in New Guinea was bombed for an hour by the Japanese. Four civilians were killed, and one was seriously and four slightly wounded. Great damage to material was inflicted, especially to Government buildings and houses. For the rest, enemy air activity consisted of reconnaissance and slight bombardments. In South Celebes, fighting is continuing uninterruptedly. A Japanese Unit was ambushed and lost two officers and 30 to 40 men, without loss to our side. R.A.A.F. COMMUNIQUE RUGBY, February 16. An Australian air communique reports: Japanese aircraft unsuccessfully attacked Allied shipping in the Timor Sea. . The R.A.A.F. carried out a reconnaissance of Japanese-occupied island bases in the Bismarck Archipelago. Smale-scale Japanese reconnaissances were carried out over the south coast of Papua, on Sunday. No bombs were dropped.

JAP. DRIVE IN BURMA BRITISH LINES BROKEN. (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16. Japanese motorised units, tanks, and infantry are pouring over the marshy ricefields on the coast, in an all-out drive to capture the key railway town of Thaton, says the ‘Daily Express” Rangoon correspondent If the Japanese capture Thaton. they will cut the railway communication between Rangoon and the Allied troops driven out of Martaban. It was officially admitted in R.angoon to-night that the British lines had been broken at several points. While the American promise of reinforcements is noted in Rangoon with satisfaction, there is a tendency to point out that Washington and London have only just discovered the importance of the defence of Burma, whereras the Burmese have always suspected the Japanese were able to attack Burma, and have not made the mistake of underestimating their strength. , , A . . , The Burmese Press has criticised the army communiques, which cloak the operations in obscure language. ALLIED WITHDRAWAL. RUGBY, February 16. A Rangoon communique states: Our trooos withdrew yesterday from the 'Tuyinzaik area to more-concentrated positions on the river, 40 miles north of Moulmein. IN THE PHILIPPINES ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVE RUGBY, February 16. The Japanese have apparently not yet renewed their expected heavy ofsensive in the Philippines, where General MacArthur’s gallant forces have been holding out both on Corregidor Island and on the Batan Peninsula. A United States War Department communique says: There has been heavy enemy artillery fire on Batan in the past 24 hours. Intermittent infantry fighting is in progress on several sectors of the front. Enemy aviators have been active throughout the day.