THE BALI LANDING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24850, 25 February 1942, Page 5

THE BALI LANDING

JAPANESE PAY HEAVY PRICE INTENSE AIR ACTIVITY MANY AERODROMES ATTACKED RUGBY. Feb. 23. The Netherlands War Department has announced that part Bali, including the aerodrome at Den Passar, has' been occupied by the Japanese, but for this conquest the Japanese had to pay a high price. Owing to strong action by Allied air and sea forces, it can be assumed that the fleet which the Japanese sent out for the conquest of Bali has for the greater part been destroyed or badly damaged. A single ship which succeeded in escaping destruction has fled. The Netherlands Information Bureau adds: "The magnificent successes of the Allied sea and air forces justify the belief that the landing at Bah means a Japanese Pyrrhic victory like the conquest of the burning homes of Tarakan, Balik Papan. and Palembang." A Batavia communique states that during yesterday Japanese aircraft have been extremely active, bombing and machine-gunning many aerodromes in Java. Aerodromes in the vicinity of Batavia, Burenzorg, Djockakarta. Surabaya, and Malang have been attacked, and some damage has Deen done here and there. Three or four Japanese fighters were shot down, and there were only a few casualties. An attack by our bombers on enemy targets near Palembang produced satisfactorv results. Japanese troops towards" the end of last week attacked Koepang, the enemy meeting with strong resistance. _• An American Army communique states: "Flying Fortress bombers attacked the Japanese-held aerodrome at Den Passar, in Bali, scoring several direct hits, and destroying, it is believed, six medium bombers on the ground and damaging the runways. The United States planes were not damaged." i x Recapitulating the operations of the United States Army and Air Forces in the Netherlands East Indies since January 1, the communique stated that at least nine enemy vessels had been sunk and 24 damaged, and 48 planes destroyed. t "WHILE ROME BURNS" GAIETY IN BATAVIA BATAVIA, Feb. 23. The Associated Press representative cables to-day: "I sat on the terrace of a luxury hotel and listened to an 11-piece orchestra with unconscious cynicism playing selections from the 'Mikado.' The 'all-clear* had iust sounded. Outside natives milled through streets and inside officers drank and swopped stories, while Dutch and English girls, greatly outnumbered and revelling in it, held court. Last night the dance floor was so crowded that it was uncomfortable. The bar was jammed, so was the dining room, which is understandable, as the guests were sleeping five to a room. There is no sign of depression, fear, or foreboding. I have seen the same thing at Bandoeng and Surabaya. War, even on an island smaller than New Zealand, cannot kill gaiety. The Japanese might have been 1000 miles away instead of under 200, but the cloud moving Over Java is not ignored. Many men in the bar have met the Japanese face to face, some in Sumatra, others in Borneo and the outer islands. "At any moment the greatest blitz yet launched bv the Japanese will be directed at Java. The mere fact that the invasion has been delayed for some days is an indication that the Japanese are not under-estimating the strength of the defences. They are bringing up reinforcements and preparing bases before striking. "To get fabulously, wealthy Java, with every raw material Japan needs and 47,000,000 natives for cheap labour, was Japan's primary object when she entered this war. When she strikes it will be with her full strength, by air and sea, and with heavy troop landings.'probably at several points. "The Dutch defence is based on mobility. The N.E.I. army hopes by its ability to rush strong forces to the threatened points to meet the Japanese on even terms. Dutch courage has never faltered, and it is not faltering, even though it Ms feared that all the Allied promises are not going to be fulfilled. The Dutch here see themselves in the same position as England after Europe was conquered. They say: ' Hitler got everything but what he wanted—England. The Japanese have got everything but what they want—Java. If we can hold Java we will turn the tide of war.'"