MENACE TO JAVA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20677, 30 January 1942, Page 5

MENACE TO JAVA

JAPAN’S ARMADA ALLIES’ FIERCE BLOWS MACASSAR STRAIT BATTLE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Jan. 30, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 29 The Battle of the’ Macassar Strait is now emerging as the greatest sea action since the Battle of Jutland, says the special correspondent of the Daily Mail at Batavia. It is still raging to-day and will not be won until the entire enemy armada is wiped out or the survivors are forced to turn back. The great convoy of 100 ships was intent on a full-scale invasion of Java -—the heart of the Allied organisation in the south-west Pacific. Twentyeight ships have already been destroyed or damaged, but it is estimated that' nerrly 70 are afloat, carrying 150,000 troops with full equipment. The threat to Java, though reduced, is still very real. The armada is now split into three groups and the Allies are facing a major problem of keeping each accurately placed so that the attack can be maintained. Continuous Japanese bombing oi the Allied airfields in south-east Borneo and north-west Celebes, from which the reconnaissance planes must operate, is hampering our operations. If the armada is destroyed or torced to turn back at least a month will be gained toward the vital three months which, it is estimated, are necessary for the concentration of sufficient Allied Forces

The Japanese, unimpeded, could have made the passage of the straits in 33 hours. The fact that the battle is in the sixth day indicates the weight of the blows the Japanese are suffering.