PHILIPPINE FRONT

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1941, Page 7

PHILIPPINE FRONT

U.S.A. Aircraft DESTROY 26 ENEMY PLANES. MANILA, December 17. A United States Army communique states: Enemy forces at Vigar. suffered severely from attacks by our Air Force. One Japanese plane was shot down. At least 25 were destroyed on the ground. Fuel supplies were set on fire. U.S. SUBMARINE'S SUCCESS. LONDON. December 17. Admiral T. C. Hart, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet, announced that American submarines had had two successes. He said that three United States suomarines were involved in attacks against Japanese. Two were successful, but one failed. He declined to elaborate the statement. MANILA BAY MINE. CAUSES 200 DEATHS. MANILA. December 17 The inter-island steamer. “Corregidor,” struck a mine in Manila Bai' on Tuesday night. Two hundred were killed. CORREGIDOR’S HISTORY. 500 LIVES LOST. (Rec. 1.30). LONDON, December IS. The steamer. Corregidor, which was operating Locally in the Philippines, was blown up by a mine in Manila Bay. The loss' was five hundred lives. Formerly, she was a seaplane carrier, and was engaged in the British Army. She participated in the Battle of Jutland. Later, she became a Thames pleasure steamer, carrying thousands to Margate Thereafter, she was engaged in the Cross Channel service.. She was sold to the Manila Company in 1934. JAP DESTROYERS HIT BATAVIA, Dec. 17. While executing landing operations at Miri, on the north-western coast of British Borneo, the Japanese were attacked by bombers of the Netherlands East Indies Navy. A Japanese destroyer covering the landing forces received a direct hit. All the Netherlands planes returned. U.S. SUBMARINES FEARED BY JAPAN LONDON, Dec. 17. The Japanese are clearly apprehensive of attacks by American submarines. A Japanese naval spokesman warned the people of Japan that the enemy’s submarine forces were comparatively intact, and there were probably 20 American submarines at large round Japan. JAPANESE ADVANCING In Luzon and Malaya LATEST TOKIO CLAIMS. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 1.38). TOKIO, December 18. A Japanese Army communique states: Our forces are continuing their assaults on Hong Kong, with the assistance of the Navy. Japanese units in. Northern Luzon have occupied an enemy airbase, and are driving southwards to • others, smashing the enemy resistance in the Vigan area. “Other Japanese units, which disembarked in southern Luzon, are driving northward, after occupying North-western Legaspi. “Other units, after landing at Singora and Kota Bharu, in Malaya, are now advancing after destroying British mechanised forces. JAP’S BORNEO LANDING. LONDON, December 17. A new Japanese threat in Borneo is confirmed by ia Singapore communique. stating the landing was not in British North Borneo, as at first reported, but in the nearby territory of Sarawak. The enemy landings were made at Miri and Lubong, from which the defending were earlier withdrawn. DANGER FROM BORNEO. LONDON, December 17. The Japanese landings in Borneo were expected by the High Command, but the serious point of this landing is the probability that Kuching will be the next victim of the Japanese southwards drive. Kuching is the port of South Sarawak. From this poinb bombbrs could operate against Singapore with the greatest ease. SARAWAK OIL WELLS BLOWN UPFAus. &. N.Z. Cable Assn.j (Rec. 1.36). NEW YORK, Dec. "17Lady Charles Brooks, wife of the Governor of Sarawak, in a statement said: The oil wells of Sarawak were blown un several days ago. I hope that the Dutch Fleet will soon defeat the Japanese invaders. But if the Japanese trv to penetrate Sarawak head-hunters who have many devices, will get a fine collection. They will welcome them, and I wish to get a few Japanese heads myself.”

ANDAMAN ISLANDS. BOMBAY. December 17. It is believed here that Japanese forces have landed on the Andaman Islands. between Rangoon and Sumatra. DUTCH ISLANDS RAIDED. [Aust. <?- N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON. December 17. An enemy attack on th e Netherlands East Indies is recorded by the Batavia' radio, which . states enemy Dianes raided Serenta. in the Armmba Islands (midway between the Malaj Peninsula and Borneo). Soo 1 ?, damage was caused. On the following dav, enemv planes also machine-gun-ned Serenta. but only a few casualties unsued. , , A Dutch patrol boat yesterday was attacked by a large enemv bomher. but all the bombs missed the target. 7 *»*•*’• | ALBANIA DECLARES WAR! 'LONDON. Dec. IT Alhan’a has declared war against America.