THE KEDAH BATTLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24793, 18 December 1941, Page 7

THE KEDAH BATTLE

FIRST BIG ENGAGEMENT AIM OF JAPANESE STRATEGY BASES IN INDIAN OCEAN SINGAPORE, Dec. 16. The first decisive battle of the new war in the Pacific is being fought south of Kedah. It would be wrong to attach too great importance to it, because it does not affect the fate of Singapore itself, but it is sufficiently important to attract world attention, because it affects the ownership of the island base of Penang.

Japanese strategy is apparently directed towards securing hpses in the Indian Ocean side of the Malay Peninsula, from which they could operate against Allied shipping from Africa, India and Australia. They have already secured Victoria Point. Now all the forces available are being thrown against inferior numbers of British troops. British efforts are concentrated on holding a narrow front until the forces are ready for a counter-attack. There are indications of preparations being made for such a move, designed to hurl the Japanese back tc Thailand, and as long as the Japanese are prevented from bringing reinforcements to bear there are good prospects of success.

Communiques refer to the fanatical determination of the Japanese, causing them the heaviest casualties, and this gives rise to the hope that the Japanese drive will become spent early, particularly if our air and sea forces are able to interrupt supplies and reinforcements.

Reports from the front reveal that the main brunt of the Japanese thrust across the border was borne by English county regiments, as well as Indian units, who fought with conspicuous gallantry. The Japanese are using light tanks, which manoeuvre easily in this part of the country. The Legislative .Council passed a Bill providing the death penalty or life imprisonment for looting, rioting and treachery. Enemy’s Heavy Losses

The Governor of the Straits Settlement (Sir Shenton Thomas), in addressing the Legislative Council, said: “The enemy’s losses in the first week of the war were very heavy. It is now learned that the ships sunk by members of the R.A.A.F. off Kota Bharu carried tanks, but we, too, suffered. We cannot yet say how the battle will go, and hope our men will be able to maintain their present position, but it is most obvious to everybody that the fate of Penang depends largely upon what happens to Kedah. “ The decision of the Government of Thailand not to resist invasion, in spite of all the protestations of recent weeks, left us alone to defend the northern frontier of Malaya. There is not a word of truth in the Japanese allegation that we first entered Thailand. The free passage which Thailand has given to Japanese troops made it possible for our aerodromes in the north to be put out of action by bombing, and for the Japanese to launch a largescale attack against Kedah. In this battle our troops are fighting with splendid courge and inflicting severe casualties, the R.A.F. and the R.A.A.F are co-operating with them in every possible way, and in addition inflicted heavy losses, especially at Kota Bharu, where they played a great part in delaying the enemy’s initial landing. Bombing attacks aganist enemy aerodromes are being carried out day and night. The Netherlands East Indies Army and Air Force are playing their part in the defence of this country.” ' It is authoritatively stated that the Australian Imperial Force has not yet gone into action against the enemy, although it is standing by in readiness for any attempted landing on the important sector it is holding. A new job has already been found for the ratings from the Repulse and the Prince of Wales, some of whom are now operating a ferry between Penang and the mainland. During the Japanese raids on Penang the planes not only bombed the island, but machinegunned the waterfront and then turned their attention to the ferries. A number of the passengers and of the crew were injured. The authorities decided to despatch sailors from Singapore, who have now taken over the service, which they are maintaining at the norma! schedule despite threats and further attacks.