NEAR BORNEO

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

NEAR BORNEO

U.S. DESTROYERS IN ACTION JAPANESE TRANSPORTS SUNK DUTCH PLANES ATTACK WARSHIPS London, Jan. 24. A United Stales Navy Department communique states that in a night attack on a Japanese convoy in the Straits of Macassar American destroyers torpedoed and shelled at • lose range transports and destroyers. Two large ships were blown up and sunk and a third left with a heavy list. Considerable damage was done to other vessels. United States destroyers were only slightly damaged, and the total ca uai ties were four wounded. Batavia yesterday reported that Netherlands Easl Indies bombers and 1 fighters launched a determined attack on a concentration of Japanese ships in the middle of the Straits of 1 Macassar, between Celebes and Borneo. A communique to day states; “Details of the attack by our bombers on the Japanese fleet in the Straits of Macassar show that it resulted in four direct hits with four heavy bombs on one cruiser, one heavy cruiser, one large transport, and one warship respectively, while two direct hits each were scored on one transport and two large transports with lighter bombs. Altogether 12 direct hits were obj tained on eight different ships. There j were no losses on our side." It is authoritatively stated in Batavia l that Netherlands bombers attacked Japanese ships off Balik Papan, Borneo, j to-day. One direct hit and several near misses were scored on a large pas- ! senger ship, which thereupon listed, j Another large transport and a destroyer J received direct hits. —U.P.A. SMASHING COUNTER-ATTACK ALLIES’ REPLY IN PHILIPPINES i Rec. 11.20 a.m. ) Rugby, Jan. 25. An American communique received from Washington reports that a heavy .Japanese attack on General MacArthur’s ; left flank has forced American and ! Filipino troops to give ground with considerable losses. Allied forces, however, made a counter-attack, de--1 scribed as a smashing success, which j temporarily stabilised the front and [caused heavy enemy casualties. —8.0. W. STUBBORN DEFENCE M W LANDINGS IN PHILIPPINES Rugby, Jan. 24. The stubborn defence of the Philippines against the Japanese forces, which have been augmented by new landings, is described in a United Stales War Department communique, which says: "Fresh Japanese troops are continuing heavy attacks against General MacArthur’s troops on the Batan Peninsula These attacks are particularly heavy on the left flank and are supported by the fire of hostile naval vessels and by aircraft. The enemy succeeded in taking a j number of positions on the west coast. : Fierce counter-attacks by our troops! expelled the Japanese from some of ! these points, but others remain in pos- i session of the enemy. Heavy losses have been suffered oq both sides. The enemy continues to land new troops at Subig Bay and on the west coast of j the Batan Peninsula, greatly increasing ' the number of the invaders. Though fatigued by the constant fighting, the American and Philippine troops continue their stubborn resist- j ance, contesting savagely every advance | made by the enemy. Their enthusiasm, ; courage and devotion are undiminished. 8.0. W • WE A.A. DEFENCE New York. Jan. 24. It is announced in Washington that , the anti-aircraft batteries on the island of Corregidor and the Batan Peninsula have brought down 10 to 25 per cent, of the enemy raiders. By | 16th January they had destroyed 84 ! Japanese planes and United Stales : pilots had shot down another 38. General MacArthur reports that the j Japanese have proclaimed 17 offences for which civilians will pay with their ; lives. These include refusal to accept; Japaneoe currency and “slanderous j statements” about the money circu- i lated by the Japanese.—U.P.A. JAPANESE SUBMARINE MEETS END Rugby, Jan. 24. The Admiralty has received informa- j tion that a British ship operating in Far Eastern waters has destroyed a Japanese submarine. The submarine was brought to the surface by depth charges and then sunk by gunfire. Some of the crew were taken prisoner.— 8.0. W. EMPEROR OF JAPAN Rugby, Jan. 24. The Emperor of Japan has been struck off the roll of Knights of the Order of the Garter, according to a Press message, which states that to-day his banner was removed from above his stall in the choir of St. George’s Chapel, j Windsor, and taken into the vault to lie with the others formerly removed, in- : eluding those of the King of Italy and the late Kaiser.—B.O.W.