FIGHT IN HILLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20708, 7 March 1942, Page 5

FIGHT IN HILLS

DUTCH INTENTION DELAY JAPANESE AWAIT ALLIED AID BATAVIA EVACUATED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 6. At an extraordinary session last night of college of delegates of the Netherlands East Indies Volksraad at Bandoeng, the Lt.-Governor-General, Dr. Van Mook, gave a frank review of the present situation in which he affirmed the intention of Java’s military leaders to concentrate their forces for the defence of' certain areas where geographical conditions will enable the Dutch and Allied troops to resist superior numbers. The correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says this may be interpreted that when the first phase of the Battle of Java—the slowing down of the enemy invasion troops on the north Java plains—will end the main body of the Java army will begin a determined long-range struggle on south Java’s mountain regions while awaiting Allied actions against Japan’s supply lines in order to relieve the pressure on Java. Dr. Van Mook put the losses inflicted on the enemy by Dutch forces as follows: Sunk or put out of action about 15 cruisers, 10 destroyers, 40 transport ships, five tankers, and two submarines. These heavy losses, said Dr. Van Mook, do not include equally heavy losses inflicted on Japan by American and English ships and American, Australian, and British aircraft. “Not Left Alone”

He gave an assurance of Allied support and said: “On no account allow yourselves to be dominated by the thought that we have been left to fight alone.”

Netherlands officials in Washington point out that an’additional 100 planes from the Allies would have turned the tide in the Netherlands East Indies battle. They add that aeroplane shipments from America to the Far East have been ample in the past few days, but were very unsatisfactory earlier. They further point out that only the unsatisfactory influx of aeroplanes from the Allies prevented China hitherto from attacking Japan. The only British correspondent remaining in Java, Mr. John Findon, of the Daily Express, states that the decisive phase of the battle of Java may begin in a day or two. A report from Batavia states that a shipload of aircraft from America has been destroyed while off the coast of Java.

Lt.-General Ter Poorten’s stubborn little army had yielded more ground in the west centre and east, says the Bandoeng correspondent of the Daily Express. It is impossible for the Dutch to establish a regular front at any point in this war, in which the enemy moves from tree to tree, from plantation to plantation and along roads which can be protected by tantitank barriers, armoured cars or tanks.

Determined Defence It .is * pointed out in authoritative circles in London that although there is little fresh news from Java, Allied troops are making an extremely determined defence. It is also pointed out that although there may he no news of the fighting in the other islands, such as Sumatra, Borneo, Timor and the Celebes, it should not be inferred that no fighting is going on. Although the Japanese claim to be in control of these islands, they only speak of ports and aerodromes, but the Dutch and the Allies have by no means thrown in their hands. When troops take to this type of guerrilla fighting news is difficult to obtain, as any wdreless sets they possess would not have the range to give details of what is happening.

A Netherlands East Indies communique admits the complete evacuation of Batavia.

Before the withdrawal from Batavia the Dutch destroyed all important works and evacuated many of the inhabitants. The Japanese now occupy all western Java and Jokjakarta, in the south central part of the island. The Dutch troops who have been in forward positions, say they obtain a glimpse of the enemy if they are lucky, but usually they have been attacked from three sides without catching a glimpse of the little yellow men with Tommy-guns.

The Japanese have reached points 13 miles west and 50 miles east of Batavia.