AUSTRALIAN ACTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 24 January 1942, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN ACTION

CABINET WATCHING POSITION SERIOUS CONCERN EXPRESSED CONFUSED FIGHTING REPORTED IN MALAYA Melbourne, Jan. 23. After a special meeting of the War Cabinet and Service heads, the Minister of the Army, Mr Forde, said the Government was much concerned about the position, both in Malaya and in New Guinea. As reports came to hand and views were exchanged with authorities overseas, Cabinet would review the military position and determine what measures could be taken in co-operation with Allied nations to counter the advance of the enemy. Mr Forde said he had received a cable from Major-General Bennett stating that very confused fighting was in progress in the area about Batu Pahat. EVACUATION OF RABAUL More than 800 women and children were evacuated from Rabaul to Australia in nine days by the fleet and civil air-liners escorted by R.A.A.F. planes. In a number of cases aircraft i which normally carries 21 passengers | and a crew of three, transported 53 I women and children in one flight. On one of the last flights an airliner arrived at Rabaul an hour after the Japanese had flown over. The liner was loaded quickly and left with a ! strong R.A.A.F. escort. Precautions to prevent typhus and other diseases being brought to Australia from war-stricken countries are being taken by Commonwealth authorities. One disease guarded against is so-called Malayan typhus, or Japanese river fever. Close medical inspection and quarantine precautions are being taken in regard to soldiers returning from abroad, war prisoners j sent to Australia and evaedees. — I U.P.A. NO NEWS FROM RABAUL Melbourne, Jan. 23. It was announced at 11.30 p.m. that no further communique had been rec e ived to-night regarding Rabaul.—U.P.A. MALAYAN RESCUE SERVICE HAS SAVED MANY PILOTS Rugby, Jan. 21. Formed a fortnight after the outbreak of war in the Pacific an air and sea rescue service in Malaya has already performed several notable feats of rescue work, says the Air Ministry News Service. The Air and Sea Rescue Service maintains a 24-hour watch. Calls for help are handled immediately. The service is divided into two branches — aerial and marine. The sea fleet carries full crash kit and medical equipment, and the crews are trained in first aid. The n.c.o. in charge is always a firstclass coxswain.—B.O.W. DEFENCE OF TIMOR PORTUGUESE TROOPS ON WAY RESULT OF BRITISH CONVERSATIONS ißec. 11.0 a.m.) Rugby, Jan. 23. The decision of the Portuguese Government to despatch troops for the defence of Timor, announced today, was welcomed in London official circles. The text of the announcement issued iby the Portuguese Government is as j follows: ‘‘ln pursuance of the conversations exchanged with the British Government, orders have been sent for the dispatch from Lourenco Marques to Timor of forces already prepared for ; the purpose of ensuring the defence of | the Portuguese part of the island. The j transport Joao Belo will be convoyed ! by a warship.”—B.O.W. COSTLY ASSAULTS JAPANESE ATTACKS ON LUZON BIG NUMBERS THROWN IN (Rec., 11.15 a.m.) Rugby, Jan., 23. The Japanese are continuing to launch heavy attacks on General MacArthur's positions on the Bataan Peninsula in Luzon. Washington officially reports that during the past 24 hours fighting has been extremely heavy. The enemy's assault troops have been strongly reinforced. Nevertheless all the Japanese attacks were repulsed with heavy losses. Apparently the; j enemy has adopted the policy of continuous assaults without regard to casualties, hoping by great superiority : in numbers to crush the defenders. 1 General MacArthur received a message from General Wavell, Allied jG.-0.-C. in the Pacific, warmly con- , gratulating him and his command on the magnificent defence of the Philippines.—B.O.W.