JAP. CRUISER SUNK

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1942, Page 5

JAP. CRUISER SUNK

„ And Two Destroyers ALSO EIGHT TRANSPORTS. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February 22. The Japanese invasion fleet engaged iin landing forces on the island of Bali, at the eastern end of Java, which was on Thursday attacked, by American and Dutch aircraft, was on Thursday night subjected to further attack by naval forces. Allied surface ships and submarines attacked a large concentration off Bali. It was the fleet’s first big action since the hard-hitting Dutch commander, Vice-Admiral Helfrich, took over from Admiral iHart. Some of the results of the fierce and sustained Allied attack on the Japanese invasion forces can be summarised as follows: — On Thursday, Allied bombers hit two cruisers, also transports. Four enemy fighters were shot down. On Thursday night, Allied warships sank one cruiser and two destroyers, and badly damaged one and perhaps two more cruisers. The Allies lost one destroyer, another Allied warship was damaged. LATER. In the night action, Dutch and United States warships sank one enemy cruiser, and damaged two cruisers and two destroyers. In addition, Allied bombers sank a large transport, set on fire one cruiser; scolred direct hits on two cruisers and a destroyer, and also hit four enemy ships engaged in landing operations near Den Passar, in Bali. These operations will certainly delay the Japanese advance. The Dutch forces in Bali are reported to be holding Den Passar, but have not captured the airport, which is their main objective.

On Friday, Allied bombers damaged four cruisers, sank one transport, and damaged six others. The Allies and the Japanese each lost four ’planes. It was subsequently announced that the number of enemy transports sunk total eight. The number of dfestroyers and transports damaged is not confirmed. THE LOSSES. Thus, the Japanese losses so far ascertained are: One cruiser, two destroyers, eight transports sunk, and five cruisers and an unconfirmed number of destroyers and transports damaged. Known losses suffered by the Japanese in the naval action being fought off Bali are one cruiser sunk and five damaged, two destroyers sunk and: others damaged, one transport sunk and others damaged, as well, as four aeroplanes shot down. , Allied naval losses are one destroyer sunk and one other warship damaged. The battle is believed to be on a bigger scale than the Macassar Strait action, in which Japan suffered heavy losses. More news of the action is eagerly awaited in London. It is understood that the battle is still going on.