LARGE FORCES

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1942, Page 5

LARGE FORCES

Landed by Japanese [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON. Feb. 16. There are unconfirmed reports of a Japanese landing on Java which with its 70,000,000 inhabitants, is the kev island of the Netherlands East Indies. A direct attack on Java has been expected. The Italian Stefani News Agency 'declares that Japanese troops, strongly supported by warships, have landed in Java. DUTCH DENY LANDINGS. (Rec. 1.20.) LONDON, Feb. 17. Authoritative sources in the Netherlands East Indies, deny the German report that Japanese troops have landed in Java, although they are convinced that such an invasion L threatened. Japs. Forestalled DUTCH “SCORCH” BORNEO TOWNS. (Rec. 12.52). BATAVIA, Feb. 17. The first eye witness story trom Bandjermasin, in south-west Borneo, which town is now in Japanese hands, has been brought by refugees who have reached Java in a small Government ship. One Dutchman, from an evacuated settlement fifty miles north of Balik Papan, East Borneo, remained behind until the Japanese were only , ten miles distant. Then he set fire to the settlement, and escaped in the J un S le - He then carefully stalked a Japanese column that was moving toward Bandjermasin. Finally he raced on. and arrived in Bandjermasin ahead of the Japanese. He reported their strength. Twenty-four hours later, Bandjermasin was ,a blazing inferno. A ship put. to sea, picking up women from various settlements in Borneo.