MORE OPTIMISTIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 31 December 1941, Page 5

MORE OPTIMISTIC

FEELING IN MANILA No Enemy Gains in Past 24 Hours

AIR RAID ON SINGAPORE

(Rec. 9.25 a.m.) London, Dec. 30. After a weekend of horror the people of Manila are more optimistic to-clay, firstly because the city was again not bombed, secondly following President Roosevelt’s message, and thirdly because the military spokesman asserts that Japanese troops have not gained one inch in the past twenty-four hours and the position of the United States troops on the northern and southern fronts is firm and favourable. The spokesman adds that damage on Corregidor Island (the fortress in Manila Bay) was negligible and the fortress can hold out for months regardless of Japanese bombings A Singapore communique states that on the Perak front (northwestern Malaya) the enemy made a strong attack yesterday evening but suffered heavy casualties. Elsewhere in Malaya there is no change in the situation. Singapore last night had its first air raid since Hlh December. Few bombs were dropped and there were very few casualties. It is also officially announced that in an enemy air attack on a railway station yesterday a large Malayan labour force which was on the station j behaved particularly well. I he latest army communique from the Philippines is the shortest ■of the war so far: “Everything quiet.” Last night’s Washington communique stated merely that there had been no important ground ] operations. It is learned that fighters of the American volunteer air force j stationed in Rangoon, Burma, shot down no fewer than 26 out of 80 I Japanese planes engaged in one of the recent heavy attacks on the 'city. 1 hese volunteers have been protecting the Burma Road, which iis vital for supplying the Chinese armies.

A United States war communique slates that a very large force of aircraft bombed coast defences of Manila Bay continuously for three hours. At j least four Japanese planes were shot down by the anti-aircraft guns. I INVADERS’ NEW BASES I The Pacific war which started as an air war still remains one, and with the establishment of air bases in the Philippines, Japanese air activity is in creasing over all parts of the archipelago. The enemy now has obtained various points from which to escort transports and also to protect bombers with fighters. At sea, Japanese aircraft have established a numerical superiority over the narrow straits and channels which comprise the major zone of combat. The Manila correspondent of the “New York Times” says that local military men are unanimously of the opinion that Japan's Philippine successes are solely due to her air superiority after destroying and damaging the defenders’ vital airfields. It is clear, after the experience at Luzon that underground hangars and other devices to conceal ground facilities from fifth columnists are absolutely indispensable. This does not mean that the Philippine situation is hopeless. On the contrary, it is expected that assistance from America will soon re-establish the defenders’ air superiority. SEVERE RAIDS IN MALAYA A Reuter report from Singapore says that Ipoh, the tin-mining; centre in north-west Malaya, lias been evacuated and that the Imperial

troops have established themselves in new positions south of the town. There is no confirmation of this report in London. It was stated in London to-day that the fact that fighting is taking place south of Ipoh does not necessarily mean that the town has been lost. It was learned yesterday that the town was threatened by a dangerous pincer nyivement from the north and south. Advanced enemy units were in action only 10 miles north of Ipoh and 15 miles to the south-west. A Singapore message says that in the past three days the Japanese forces on the west coast of Malaya have advanced a further 15 to 20 miles. A few days ago the fighting was referred to as patrol activity taking place at Sungei Siput. At piesent the British are reported to be making close contact with the enemy south of Ipoh, which is being subjected to very severe bombing, apparently while other British forces are making a temporary stand in the town. The civilians and businessmen evacuated Ipoh some days ago, while the air force moved out a Week ago. The further details of the success of the raid on Sungei Patani are somewhat offset by the news that the Japanese bombing has now penetrated as far south as Kluang, which is about 80 miles north of Singapore, and is the last good airfield before Singapore itself. The Japanese are still following the policy of attacking airfields primarily, and also seeking out railways, bridges, and other lines of communication. The civil population in north Malaya is still being subjected to repeated raids, examples of which are the savage bombing of the township of Kuala Lumpur. SUMATRA NOT INVADED London, Dec. 29. A Netherlands East Indies communique confirms the Japanese air raid on Medan aerodrome in Sumatra, but says that reports that Japanese parachute troops were landed there were probably based on a misunderstanding. The communique says that Australian Hudson aircraft have attacked a ; Japanese convoy north of the Celebes and scored several hits on the ships. Glenn Martin bombers of tlie N.E.I. Air Force have raided Miri. in Sarawak, North Borneo, and scored a direct hit on a large Japanese troops transport. A Batavia message says that the number of dead as a result of the Japanese air raid on Pontianak, Dutch Borneo, now totals 128.—8.0. W. and U.P.A. ACCORDING TO TOKIO SINGAPORE PREPARING FOR “ANOTHER DUNKIRK” (Rec. 9.40 a.m.) New York, Dec. 30. The Tokio radio claims “special information” reaching Tokio indicates that Britons in Singapore are preparing for "another Dunkirk.” and have concentrated hundreds of ships for the evacuation of soldiers and civilians, j The radio adds that Australia and I New Zealand are seriously menaced ; themselves and therefore ore unable to I give further assistance to Singapore. I while Japan is assured of abundant oil and strategic bases in Sarawak for an 'attack against Singapore.—U.P.A. AMERICAN FREIGHTER SUNK NINETEEN SURVIVORS LAND (Rec. 9.40 a.m.) New York, Dec. 29. Nineteen survivors who were landed here to-night revealed that the United States 6000 ton freighter Sagadahoc was

torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic on i 23rd December.—U.P.A.