THE BATTLE FOR JAVA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24217, 7 March 1942, Page 6

THE BATTLE FOR JAVA

There is becoming visible, after the confusion of the first attack, an outline of the battle for Java, now raging. The Japanese are exploiting their three main landings and making full use of their superior strength in the air. The familiar twopronged attack is being made on Batavia, from the Indramayu landing in the east and from Bantam in the west. It has never been suggested that Batavia was capable of prolonged defence. The removal of the Government early in the attack indicated that the Netherlands authorities had no delusions as to its strength. A second thrust is evidently aimed at cutting the island into two sections at its narrowest point, while the naval base of Sourabaya is the objective of the third drive developed from the Rembang landing. The admitted progress the enemy has made is not pleasant hearing, but the spirit still being shown by Netherlands headquarters and troops commands respect. They do not agree that the battle is over, but have proclaimed their determination to fight to the last. All accounts agree on the sternness of the resistance they are offering to the enemy. Unfortunately they agree also on the disadvantages under which the Dutch labour. There is no ignoring the fact that the chief of these is relative weakness in the air, a weakness accentuated as the Japanese gain command of airfields. Until the enemy can be met arid matched in the air, the fight against him is an unequal one. That is the chief lesson for the Allies, from Java as from Malaya.