FALL OF PENANG

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 2

FALL OF PENANG

ATTACK FROM AIR STREETS CROWDEP RUTHLESS GUNNING SINGAPORE, Dec. 21. Penang has fallen to the enemy, but not without something of glory—at least five Europeans remained to hand over to the Japanese. Graphic accounts of the attack on the island are given by refugees who reached Singapore. Hundreds who ignored the warning sirens and failed to take shelter fell victims to the streams of bullets which spattered ffce straight, narrow streets. Had the population but taken refuge in drains, behind pillars, or in buildings, casualties would not have been so heavy. The first enemy aeroplanes appeared on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9 and 10. They were on reconnaissance and dropped no bombs. On the third day, December 11, an alert was sounded in the early morning, after which 27 enemy aircraft flew over the island from the direction of the mainland, circled, and then dive-bombed the town. Then they machine-gunned the streets, which were packed with Asiatics, who fled in terror, 'neglect-' inr* even the simplest shelter. Dozens fed as bullets whined among the crowds. For nearly two hours the enemy maintained his offensive. The .next day, somewhat similar tactics ’ were 'though by then most of the population had fled from the towri-for tHeFhills and coastal villages on the island. ’ It was notuntil the third day— Saturday. December 13—that the Japanese encountered the first opposi- , tion —three R.A.F. fighters and antiaircraft fire from Butterworth, on the mainland, a couple of miles away. The enemy scattered and fled without dropping bombs. The three raids bombed Penang into impotency for the sad, true reason that the civilian population evaporated—the town became'deserted, and the countryside packed. No town could function without essential services, or- without those conducting essential services. For three days there was no labour or transport. There was light, water, food, everything except the man-power essential for functioning any city.