SHARPLY REPULSED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 5 February 1942, Page 5

SHARPLY REPULSED

JAPANESE ATTACK IN LUZON REMNANTS OF DIVISION MOPPED UP ißec. 11.20 a.m.) Rugby, Feb. 4. A Washington War Department communique states: “On the night of 3rd February, elements of the 16th Kimura division made a local attack on our left flank in the Batan Peninsula. The attack was sharply repulsed and our troops continued to mop up tattered remnants of Japanese who had previously landed on the west coast or had infiltrated behind our lines. These were enemy troops from the Tatori group and Kimurj* divisions and were found in isolated pockets with no reinforcements able to reach them. “The enemy had attempted to supply! them intermittently with food and ammunition dropped by parachute. However, most of those supplies fell into our hands. “Japanese prisoners of war expressed great surprise at the humane treatment they received at our hands. They said they had been told we would execute all prisoners. On our right, there has been little action in the past 24 hours. Enemy activity over our lines i was limited to a few sporadic bombing;j attacks which did no damage.” An earlier communique announced] that a battalion of United States bluejackets and marines has been organised and is fighting in the Batan Peninsula under Ge eral MacArthur’s command, ; .Clarifying this communique, the! Associated Press says that later infor- j ination indicated that the navy men are not a new force which was sent to the Philippines from the outside, but have j been made up from the forces already in the Philippines. The first impression ' from the communique, the agency said,. was that reinforcements had actually i succeeded in reaching the peninsula ' from the outside. Th" American United Press said that 1 the Navy Department refused to en- < large upon the communique, but it appeared likely that the men did not j come from the outside. —P.A. HONG KONG UNDER THE JAPANESE Chungking, Feb. 3. The official radio said that Mrs ; Liang Hon-tsao, who is the wife of a Chinese public official, and who escaped from Hong Kong disguised as a servant girl on 15th January, said that after the fall of Hong Kong the British and Americans were crowded into thre hotels, as many as 10 persons lo a single room. Visitors were not alkwed except on gendarmes’ permits. I All property, including food and j automobiles was confiscated. On 15th j January the water service was restor- | “d. but not the electrical services. ' After the fall of Hong Kong 800.000 j Kittles of whisky were destroyed. The scorched earth methods were carried out at the suggestion of the women.