GREAT SEA BATTLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 5

GREAT SEA BATTLE

IN MACASSAR STRAIT ENEMY CONVOY'S PLANS AN INVASION OF JAVA (United Press Association) (Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 28. " The Battle of Macassar Strait is now emerging as the greatest sea action since Jutland," says the Daily Mail's special correspondent in Batavia. "It is still raging to-day, and will not be won until the entire enemy armada is wiped out or the survivors are forced to turn back. The great convoy of 100 ships was intent on a full-scale invasion of Java—the heart of the A.lied organisation in the Southwest Pacific. Twenty-eight ships have already been destroyed or damaged, but it is estimated that nearly 70 are afloat, carrying 150,000 troops with full equipment. "The threat to Java, though reduced, is still very real. The armada Is now'split into three groups, and the Allies are facing the major problem of keeping each accurately placed, so that the attack can be maintained. Continuous Japanese bombing of Allied airfields in Southwest Borneo v and North-west Celebes, from which reconnaissance planes must operate, is hampering our operations. If the armada is destroyed or forced to turn back, at least a.month will be gained towards the vital three months which it is estimated will be necessary for the concentration of sufficient Allied forces. , The Japanese, unimpeded, could the passage of the straits in 33 hours. The fact that the battle is in the sixth day indicates' the weight of the blows the Japanese are suffering."

our lot. That is what we have to expect. But undoubtedly there are members who, since the blitz ceased, have begun to think it is not true, and that there is something very terrible if we do not have an unending series of successes. We have never been away from the possibilities of great dangers and difficulties. We have had to face immediate danger after immediate danger." Referring to India's position as a potential arsenal for the East, Mr Attlee said there was a great deal to be said for this plan as a long-term policy, but in the actual circumstances of the time, this was prevented by the restricted quantity of machine tools and trained personnel. While there had been a great increase in recruiting for the Indian Army, the number of troops that could be raised at one time was restricted by the amount of training cadres available. But the Government was not neglecting this great source of man-power, and there had been a very great increase of industrial production in the East. Commander R. T. Bower (Con.) said Singapore was built to prevent just what the Japanese are doing. Britain spent £20,000,000 on Singapore within 20 years, and it wasn't going to last 20 weeks; indeed, it would be a miracle if it lasted another fortnight. We were told there was not enough shipping to carry supplies to Singapore, but there appeared to be plenty for reinforcements now that it was too late. If Singapore fell our only firstclass base in the Far East would be wiped out and India would be threatened. Drastic changes would have to be made whether Mr Churchill wanted them or not.

•Commander Sir Archibald Southby (Con.) described the Government as a personal dictatorship in which Mr Churchill assumed the functions of ,all the Ministers and service chiefs. Referring to the inadequate support for the Repulse and the Prince of Wales, he said, "I have heard it stated that orders were given for an aircraft-carrier to accompany these ships, but Mr Churchill himself countermanded these orders. In conjunction with the lack of defences in the Far East the loss of two capital ships was a major disaster. The real danger now lies in Burma and unless we hold it, India and the essential naval bases of Colombo and Trincomali will be in deadly peril."