Enemy Convoy Severely Punished

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 22, 27 January 1942, Page 5

Enemy Convoy Severely Punished

At Least Eight Ships Sunk Further Withdrawals in Malaya United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Monday, 9 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 26. In a series of attacks on a large Japanese convoy passing down the Straits of Macassar, between Borneo and Celebes, Aliied naval and air forces inflicted the heaviest losses the Japanese have yet suffered in any single operation since the war began. The enemy’s losses are conservatively put at eight ships sunk, four probably sunk, and 10 damaged. A number of enemy planes have been sent crashing. The action is still continuing. A communique issued at Singapore reports further withdrawals in Malaya. The Japanese have occupied Batu Pahat, 70 miles north of Singapore. „ ~ . Thailand has declared war on the United States and Britain and has ordered 100,000 Thai troops massed on the border to advance into Burma in co-operation with the Japanese, according to the Tokio radio. The British Associated Press correspondent at Rangoon says the Allied air force in Burma is being continually reinforced with newer models of bombers and fighters. The Tokio radio claims that the Japanese captured Mersrng, endangering the Kalai reservoir, which supplies Singapore. Chungking reports that the Chinese recaptured Tamshui, 20 miles north of Hongkong, killing 400 Japanese. The remainder of the enemy retreated towards Kowloon with the Chinese in pursuit. The Tokio radio officially announced that Japanese naval forces successfully landed at Balik Papan before dawn on Saturday and are now fiercely attacking Dutch troops along the coast.