Franco-Thai Naval Engagement

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 17, 21 January 1941, Page 5

Franco-Thai Naval Engagement

Both Sides Claim Victory OPERATIONS IN AIR AND ON LAND United Press Association—By Klee trio Telegraph—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 12.10 a.m. HANOI, Jan. 20. “A Thailand advanced unit was dispersed by our motorised units," declared Admiral Decoux in a communique. “On the Mekong River we entirely cleared the island of Donosanot, 45 miles south-east of bavaunkhet. “On Friday units belonging to the French naval forces during a cruise in the Gulf of Siam encountered Thai ships. Two of these were sunk and a third seriously damaged without loss to the French lido. “French planes bombed the airfield at Prachinburi, also the hangars and barracks at Wadhama and Aril ya, where large fires were observed." From Baukok the Thai High Command announced that the navy engaged in operations to “destroy the IndoChiDa fleet .... wherever they are hiding" and said heavy bombs squarely hit the French flagship Lamolte Piquet, which is believed to have been sunk. It said the Thai forces “almost wiped out" the French Fifth Division, on Saturday when the French mass attacked an unspecified sector. The communique said the French airraided Prachinburi, Chandaburi and other areas on Sunday while Thai planes carried out reprisals by air attack on the Sieroreap aerodrome, military warehouses and *barracks.