Grave News From Java: Jap Numbers, Force Telling Sad Tale

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1942, Page 5

Grave News From Java: Jap Numbers, F orce Telling Sad Tale

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 6. THE NEWS FROM JAVA IS VERY GRAVE. THE JAPANESE 1 HAVE OVERRUN THE RICH NORTH-WEST PLAINS AND HAVE OCCUPIED BATAVIA, THE CAPITAL, AND PENETRATED TO THE CENTRE OF THE ISLAND, AND ARE NOW 10 MILES FROM THE SOUTH COAST. A BANDOEING COMMUNIQUE ADMITS THE COMPLETION OF EVACUATION FROM THE CITY.

According to. Reuter's correspondent, the Japanese outnumber the Allies by five to one, not only in men, but in. tanks, artillery, mortars and other arms. In the air they have a virtual monopoly. The defending troops are showing signs of the strain of several days’ fighting against overwhelming odds.

It is generally agreed that the bold Dutch offensive has failed, and the Japanese are now threatening Bandoeing, in central Java, the headquarters of the Netherlands East Indies army.

Fight to a Finish

All important works were destroyed before Batavia was evacuated, but many of the city’s 600,000 citizens were left to continue the fight against the invaders.

Morale is still high, and it is still hoped that the Japanese will be held at some points. Reinforcements expected have not arrived. There is no way of escape from the island for the defenders. It will be a fight to a finish.

There is little news from the Sourabaya sector, but the Japanese are raiding the city. The troops in this area have no means of communication with the outside 1 world. Important installations have been destroyed.

Batavia a Hollow Prize

The Japanese will find Batavia a hollow prize, since all important installations have been destroyed and many people moved to the interior. The Tokio radio says the Japanese met no resistance on entering Batavia, but strong opposition was encountered outside the capital. The loss of Jokjaharta is admitted by the Dutch.

Allies Fail the Dutch

The counter-offensive planned by General ter Poorten early this week almost succeeded, but at the decisive moment the Japanese air force turned the scales.

It is now revealed that the Pacific Council assured the Netherlands authorities that if a stand could be made as long as the second part of February, reinforcements would literally pour in to such an extent that the Japanese would face an equal enemy. In view of this, the Dutch preparations during the last few weeks were mainly preparations of positions which the Allies were going to occupy, but the reinforcements did not flow in. They trickled in. and did not consist of manpower.

Thus, when the enemy landed last Sunday in numbers believed to exceed 100,000, they outnumbered the Dutch by four to one in men, and equalled or surpassed them in material and air superiority. Bravo, Dutchmen! (Rec. 2 p.m.) BANDOEING. March 6. Reuter’s Bandoeing correspondent reports that the Dutch launched a terrific frontal attack and drove the Japanese from the plains in the Bandoeing area.