FORTRESS GUNS IN ACTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24194, 9 February 1942, Page 5

FORTRESS GUNS IN ACTION

JAPANESE LAND ON ISLAND IN STRAIT By leleeraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 8, 11.43 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 8 A communique from Singapore to-day reports increased enemy air and artillery activity, and Japanese patrols have landed on an island in the Straits of Johore. The communique says: "Enemy air and aitillery activity has been on a considerably increased scale to-day. Shelling and air activity have been chiefly directed at positions in the northern part of the island. One of our patrols encountered and sank an enemy craft which contained about 20 men. Enemy working parties in South Johore were dispersed by our artillery." The communique goes on to state that enemy patrols are reported to have landed on the island of Pulau Übin this morning. Pulau Übin is about five miles long and a mile wide, and lies at the eastern end of the Straits of Johore. Over Singapore our fighters destroyed one enemy bomber and two were damaged. All our machines returned 3afely. A communique issued on Saturday stated: "Our artillery engaged enemy targets in Southern Johore, during the course of which an enemy battery was silenced. Some sampans were engaged. Enemy shelling has increased and some damage has been done in the north of the island, but there have been few casualties. There was some shelling of residential areas in Singapore. Enemy aircraft again raided the island this morning and bombs were dropped, causing some damage. Fighters intercepted the raiders, destroying one, probably destroying another, and damaging two. All our fighters returned. During Friday's raids on Singapore Island one Japanese army 97 twin-engined bomber and one single-engined bomber were destroyed in combats with our fighters." It was officially stated in Singapore, according to an agency message, that "a few enemy shellsfell on Saturday morning on the outskirts of the city of Singapore. It is believed that the Japanese are using medium artillery firing at extreme Tange of about 12 miles. An aircraft spotter was seen.