AIR SUPPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24827, 29 January 1942, Page 5

AIR SUPPORT

INCREASE IN. MALAYA ARRIVAL OF HURRICANES PROTECTION FOR TROOPS LONDON, Jan. 27. There are increasing signs of R.A.F. co-operation in the Malayan campaign. When the enemy struck the -forces available in the Malaya - command were small, besides being spread throughout the peninsula, with a large proportion of the fighter strength concentrated. at Singapore, for defence of the base, which is the enemy's chief objective. Now, with the arrival of Hurricanes the Air Force will be able to spare planes to protect the front-line troops and es- . cort bombing .expeditions. This increased Imperial air activity is one of the cheering features of the Johore fighting, though the Japanese are still superior in numbers. Fighter sweeps are proceeding every day over the front, while attempts to raid the island are meeting with sturdy resistance. ' The Australian official war corre- ' sporident says the R.A.A.F, participated in Tuesday's attack on the enemy convoy off Endau. None of their planes was lost; .Hudson bomb- ' bers scored direct' hits:on ships. One bomb completely blew:put j the stern portion of a liner estiniated at 10,000 tons. The ; Hudsons, were escorted by Buffaloes, which engaged waves of ' Japanese fighters whilst the. bombers : made'-'their ruris across the ships. s ' ; A "'■ Singapore" report states that, in spite of determined attacks by our aircraft on an enemy convoy off Endau yesterday, the enemy succeeded in landing a- force and transport vehicles. ■ . "■ Allied- bombers hit an enemy cruiser ; and scored 12-hits.on' troop/transports, '" and another oh, a large dump, of stores on a beach. Barges and landing craft .were heavily machine-gunned. Twelve enemy fighters were destroyed, two others probably destroyed, and two damaged. The British .forces are in contact with, the enemy, north of Jemaluang: ■ " -"South otfQxiang and Ayer Hitam P p the-enefiiy-Tfas supported the infantry ''with "'continuous'dive-bomb, and ma-chine-gun attacks directed against -• movement on the roads. Fighting is continuing. . ■. , ' = In the west fighting is taking place about Seng Arang. Enemy aircraft •raided "Singapore yesterday, causing military damage and a few casualties. Further damage' was caused to-day. . Chinese-military leaders report that -the Japanese are employing about 400000 men in the South Pacific, distributed thus: Malaya, 125.000; Philippines, 150,000; Thailand (for action against Burma).- 75.000; Ihdo-Chma, 40 000. It is-estimated that the Japanese are using 3000 first-line planes.