ENEMY TRANSPORTS BOMBED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24144, 10 December 1941, Page 7

ENEMY TRANSPORTS BOMBED

ATTACKS LIKELY FROM THAILAND it ————— By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received December 9. 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 9 Heavy fighting continued throughout the night in northern Maiaya, wliere. the Japanese are being attacked by British aircraft and troops. Further landings have been made by the enemy. British reinforcements should reach the area during the day. Fighting in the Kota Bharu area, on the east coast of Malaya •near the Thailand border, has been particularly severe. Attacks by considerable Japanese forces in southern Thailand may be expected, it is stated in Singapore. Twenty-five Japanese transports were seen yesterday moving down the Thai coast, escorted by warships. British and Australian bombers are attacking the enemy transports. Enemy troops earlier landed at Singora, on the Thailand coast, 100 miles from Kota Bharu. Japanese aeroplanes bombed Sungei, on the, coast of Malaya, and Royal Air Force reports say Japanese troops also landed at Patani, on the Thailand coast, 60 miles from Kota Bharu, from transports and destroyers. While it is too soon to know the enemy's plans, it is stated officially in Singapore, his primary plan appears t"o .engage considerable forces in an endeavour to gain control of northern Malaya. This was foreseen and dispositions of forces were made to meet it. Japanese and German reports that the Japanese have iriade a landing in the south and are now attacking the Singapore area are not true, , • The collapse of resistance in Thailand is confirmed in Singapore to-day. The Domei news agency states that Japanese troops entered Bangkok last night. Tokio radio states that British troops crossed- the border of Burma yesterday morning into Thailand. Japanese forces are meeting the attack "to ensure the independence of the country." Defence plans by Australia, the Philippines and the Netherlands East Indies have been fully implemented.