ANZAC NAVAL FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24837, 10 February 1942, Page 5

ANZAC NAVAL FORCE

' COMMANDER’S CAREER Vice-admiral Herbert Fairfax Leary, who has been appointed commander of the Anzac Naval Force, was born in Washington on May 31, 1885, and is himself the son of a rear-admiral of the United States Navy. He began his own naval career at the age of 20, when he entered the United States Naval Academy. He was commissioned as an ensign in the same year, 1905, and advanced steadily through the various grades of rank until he was appointed rear-admiral in 1938. His promotion to vice-admiral was approved only a few days ago. His service has been a mixture of sea experience, with specialisation in gunnery. and administrative work. He has served as gunnery officer to the United States Battle Force, was on the staff of United Stales naval headquarters in Lbndon during the last v war; was a member of the Allied Naval Armistice Commission: and was later United States Naval Attache at Paris . and liaison officer to the French Fleet. Vice-admiral Leary has been decorated with the United State* Navy Cross, the Victory and Cuban campaign medals, and the French Legion of Honour. He is married and has two r sons. ' ’

RASE EVACUATED NOW UNDER ENEMY FIRE / ... NAVAL RATINGS AS SOLDIERS LONDON, Feb. I. The; great naval base on the north coast of Singapore Island has been partially evacuated, and the King George V floating dock flooded, says the Singapore correspondent- of the British United Press. It is incorrect to say that the base has been abandoned, but rather_evacuated for an unknown period because it is not usable under .enemy Are. It will be used again at short notice whenever circumstances allow. The naval base has now become,a military base, and many naval ratings have .become; -soldiers. Some men from the Repulse have joined up with the Argyl and - Sutherland Highlanders. Artillery activity across the Jphore Stmts ; increased ..considerably this afternoon; The gunfire was plainly heard in Singapore city, where: the buildings were shaken by. the heavier explosions, which are believed to be the result of Japanese efforts to piaster road communications. British guns responded by attempting to silence the enemy batteries. Anti-aircraft guns fired on a fairly large formation of Japanese planes, which flew over at about. noon’ No bombs fell in the city area. Hurricanes cruised over the island this'afternoon. - ; ; THE NAVY’S PART RESCUE OF SOLDIERS SKILFUL OPERATIONS (Rec. 9.15 p.m.) SINGAPORE, Feb. 8. ; Since the. sinking of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse, little has been heard of the Royal Navy in this theatre, but it continues to play useful if unspectacular role. Small naval vessels! which have been maintaining continuous patrols in Malayan waters have also played a valuable part in the rescue of British soldiers marooned on the west coast of the peninsula. ; British gunboats and patrol vessels towed a fleet of launches, sampans, and dinghies at night to the scene of evacuation. Because of the shallowness of the water, the larger vessels were unable to go close inshore and the smaller craft were paddled up creeks and swamps. They collected soldiers and took them to the larger vessels, which brought them back to Singapore. During the day the small craft were concealed in creeks and swamps, while the crews collected more soldiers. The larger vessels returned after dark. This operation was repeated for several nights in succession until the last soldier who kould be found was evacuated. The operation was so skilfully carried out that it was entirely unsuspected by the Japanese, and not a single casualty resulted. The hazards of war are falling on all alike in Singapore. Since the outbreak 14 bombs have fallen within 100 yards of Government House. The Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Shenton Thomas, paid a warm tribute to the civil defence services and the part that Asiatics are playing therein. . He said that if the leaders of the Europeans and Asiatics continued to give a resolute lead to the Asiatics, Singapore would successfully weather whatever trials the enemy had in store.

The officers of the newly-formed Chinese Volunteer Corps are mainly British, having been drawn from all professions. They possess considerable local knowledge. The troops include veterans of China wars, Chungking has sent a leader well versed in guerrilla warfare to assist in the training. There has been an amazing response to the call for volunteers. It is believed that if sufficient arms are available . 10,000 Chinese could be placed in the field. RETREAT FROM WAICHOW A CHINESE REVERSE (Rec. 7 p.m.) CHUNGKING, Feb. 8. A communique states that the bet-ter-armed Japanese entered Waichow, 40 miles north of Hongkong, but the retreating Chinese inflicted heavy casualties- The Japanese started huge fires after systematically looting the city. Fierce fighting. /continues in the hills to the north-east of Waichow.