MOSTLY SUNK AT BALI

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1942, Page 4

MOSTLY SUNK AT BALI

Or Badly Damaged [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, February 23. The Netherlands War Department has announced that, owing to the strong action taken by the Allied air and sea forces, it can be'assumed that the fleet which the Japanese sent out for the conquest of Bali has for the greater part been destroyed or badly damaged. A single ship which succeeded in escaping destruction has fled. The Netherlands Information Bureau states: The magnificent successes of the Allied sea and air forces justify the belief that the landing on Bali means a Japanese Pyrrhic victory, like their conquest of the burning homes of Tarakan, Balik Papan, and Palembang. The Netherlands War Department says that for the conquest of Den * ‘Passar aerodrome, the Japanese ■| have had to pay a big price. ’. The strong naval and air offensive against Japan’s expeditionary fleet off Bali has been so successful that not a single warship or transport remained near Bali to give the troops already landed support or supplies. A United States Army communique recapitulates the operations of the United States Army and Air Forces in the Netherlands East indies since January 1. The communique stated that at least nine enemy vessels were sunk, and 24 damaged. Forty-eight planes were destroyed. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, broadcasting to her people, paid a special tribute to the gallant defenders of the Netherlands East Indies. Large Jap. Ship Sunk ALLIED BOMBERS' NEW RAID. (Rec. 1.20). BATAVIA, Feb. 24. It is officially announced here that a Japanese merchantman of 10,000 tons, was set afire, and other ships were machine gunned during a new raid by Allied bombers on the enemy forces in Banka Strait.