A MAJOR BATTLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24791, 16 December 1941, Page 5

A MAJOR BATTLE

FIGHTING IN MALAYA ALLIED AIR ACTIVITY THE JAPANESE STRAFED . SINGAPORE, Dec. 14. Fighting in the Kedah area continues with -unabated fury, and no doubt a major battle is proceeding. British, Australian and Netherlands pilots are working in full co-Operation strafing the Japanese, who launched large-seale attacks on the north-western front. It is understood that the Japanese received considerable reinforcements in the past few days. The latest British communique refers briefly to stubborn fighting at Kedah. Previous communiques referred equally briefly to fighting in the Kedah area, which correspondents interpreted as meaning the other side of the border. Indeed, it is; understood that all contact between British and Japanese troops on.this front was made in Thailand until the present attack began. Now apparently the Japanese • haVe crossed our border. Dutch Naval Successes

The disclosure of the activities of Netherlands submarines means that the British are well aware of the Japanese attempts to keep supplies going for the troops fighting at Kedah, and we are making every effort to stop those supplies getting through. The scenes of the sinkings are believed to be in the Singora and Patani areas. It is hoped that these successful attacks against the supply lines as well as the lines ; of communication will impede the Japanese advance. More British fighters have been sent into action to support our troops, who are fighting with the greatest gallantry. The whole force of the enemy's effort is obviously directed now towards ah attempt to break through Kedah. This is also one of the reasons for the constant attacks against Penang. which bears the same relation to the north-western front as Alexandria bears to Libya. If the Japanese render Penang useless to us, all supplies for our troops will have to be sent by road or by. a single-track railway. There are indications that the Japanese are not succeeding in this object. It is authoritatively: stated in London that* the Japanese sliohtlv penetrated into Burma from Thailand in the Point Victoria .region. Details are lacking, but the penetration is believed to have been made by a force landed on the other side of. the peninsula some days ago. ,';•" Heroic Action at Kota Bharu

The story of an heroic rearguard action at Kota Bharu which enabled the main body of defending troops to escape from superior enemy forces has just been pieced together from details supplied. by Indian troops, who were among the last to leave the aerodrome area. Early on the morning of December 8 Kota Bharu aerodrome received information that the enemy had reached the beaches, and several hours later there were air raids on the aerodrome. Bombs landed directly on the buildings there, and then there Was a lull until the afternoon, when planes attacked the anti-aircraft batteries and machine-gunned the troops and. swooping low, threw hand grenades at them. It was then decided to destroy such buildings as might be useful to the enemy and to begin a withdrawal. The rearguard was formed under the command of Lieutenant Close, a young Indian Army subaltern. He took onlv 12 Indian troons. An Indian mountain batterv gave Clone's tiny party support i mt.il the aerodrome'* petrol dumo was Mown up. set Are to swamp witpf behind C' o '"?''? position, cutting 6F th*« wav of retreat. Tb<* last troon* leaving the aerodrome »ot thresh to Kot? Want, ■"'•'here th D "" the m-'ln for"p. AV rnoV«( in fhp term" of hvnflVna of the ni+nn+ion, anri the eytTprirfiirtar'w doterTT'ifltion of b?< ■'niaP in enactir)" the fm*l episor* o of th» «*i>ft»Jll»o o* *TIP> Tt 1C nof-ihjo Mint Clneo antf of hi'' w'v escaped, but not much hope is held.