GUERRILLA TROOPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24949, 23 June 1942, Page 3

GUERRILLA TROOPS

DUTCH EAST INDIES CEASELESS WARFARE (N.Z.P.A.. Special Australian Correspondent) (Rec. 0.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 22. An officer of the regular Dutch Army, who is the leader of the guerrilla forces still fighting the Japanese in the Netherlands East Indies, made a secret visit to Australia to report. He has now returned to his guerrilla troops. His visit has been revealed by Dutch authorities, who state that the officer told a story of ceaseless underground warfare. The guerrillas had ample supplies, and were able to replenish them. The officer is said to have come from one of the smaller islands in a group in which the Japanese landed with a force at least 10 times that of the defenders, who comprised both Dutch and Indonesian troops. The defenders then made a hazardous retreat; to planned positions in the hinterland. The march through dense jungle and along narrow mountain tracks took eight days and nights—a nightmare period when the men had little food or rest and no medicines.

The Japanese forces made early efforts to penetrate inland, the Dutch officer said, 'but after having been repulsed with considerable losses they gave up bush fighting. Their later activities consisted of writing naive letters to the guerrilla leader, demanding the surrender of his forces. They also supplied guns to the natives and local Chinese, offering a reward of £25 for each guerrilla member killed. These bandits, however, were mostly shot before they could do much harm. The guerrillas made frequent devastating sorties against Japanese posts, and kept the invaders in a highly apprehensive state. By their activities, the Japanese were confined to the main roads and more settled areas. In addition to inflicting losses, the guerrillas gathered much useful information about the Japanese forces and carried on effective counter-propa-ganda work among the natives. Apart from the proceeds of raids, the guerrillas lived on rice, corned beef, and occasional fresh meat. Their spirits were, however, high, and their determination to continue the struggle unyielding. ■■ '