POSITION MAINTAINED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 26 January 1942, Page 5

POSITION MAINTAINED

ALLIED TROOPS IN MALAYA in Face of Heavy Pressure AUSTRALIAN DEMAND FOR WAR COUNCIL (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) Rugby, Jan. 23. A Far East communique issued in Singapore states that since vesterday our troops have maintained their positions in the face of heavy Japanese pressure supported by continuous lighter and bomber attacks. In the east at Mersing the enemy ground activity is confined to patrolling and has been considerably harassed by our artillery. In the centre, north of kluang, our forces attacked the enemy with some success yesterday afternoon. Japanese aircraft were active throughout the day and our aircraft carried out normal patrols in support of our forward troops. In the Batu Pahat area fighting continues. Considerable numbers of Australians and Indians who were cut off in the Farit Sulong area and had to be supplied by air have now rejoined our main bodies after bitter fighting. During the night aircraft of the Far East Command carried out a heavy and successful attack on a military objective at Labis, where several tons of bombs were dropped from low altitudes. 1 hese caused considerable damage and started a number of fires. Hits were observed on railway lines and roads and a railway junction where a bridge appeared to be demolished. Our fighters intercepted and drove off a force of enemy bombers over Johore this morning. When engaged, the enemy aircraft just jettisoned their bombs and withdrew. One enemy aircraft was probably destroyed and three others damaged. Enemy aircraft raided Singapore Island to-day and some bombs were dropped, but preliminary reports show that casualties and damage were negligible.—B.O.W. A message from Perth states that the Commonwealth Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, yesterday revealed that Australia had demanded the immediate establishment of an Imperial War Cabinet and a Pacific War Council with full Australian representation on both. The demands were made in an urgent cablegram to Mr Churchill.