STRUGGLE IN MALAYA

Southland Times, Issue 24650, 23 January 1942, Page 5

STRUGGLE IN MALAYA

HEAVY FIGHTING CONTINUES ENEMY AIRCRAFT I ACTIVE (8.0.W.) RUGBY, January 21. A Siagapore communique states: Heavy fighting continued throughout yesterday in the Bakri «nd Bukit Payong areas in north-west Johore. Enemy aircraft tptre active during the day, making low dive-bomb and machine-gun attacks on our forward troops. Fighters, which carried out defensive sweeps yesterday in the vicinity of Bakri in support of our troops, encountered formations of Army

type 97, which jettisoned their bombs on being intercepted.. One enemy aircraft was shot < down. In the Batu Pahat area contact with the enemy is slight. It is reported that in a daring action in the Bukit Payong area our artillery inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy at short range over open sights. On the east coast at Endau the nutpost of our troops has been withdrawn in the face of superior enemy forces. Mersing was again bombed and machine-gunned yesterday with slight results. AERODROMES ATTACKED A number of heavy and successful attacks have been made on enemyoccupied aerodromes in Malaya during the night by the Royal Air Force. Extensive damage was done to enemy aircraft in hangars and to the aerodrome building at Kuantan which was twice raided. During the first attack bombs were dropped from a low altitude and caused considerable destruction on the aerodrome.

Our aircraft during this raid were attacked by enemy fighters but all returned safely. In a later attack on Kuantan, which was also made without loss, sticks of bombs were dropped across hangars and caused large fires. Direct hits were made on aircraft.

At Kuala Lampur a successful bomb and machine-gun attack was made on an aerodrome, and here also direct hits were made on aircraft, at least three of which were seen to be on fire. A number of other fires was started including one which was seen to be increasing some time after the raid. One of our aircraft is missing from this operation. ANOTHER RAID ON SINGAPORE Enemy aircraft again raided Singapore this morning. They were intercepted by our fighters which destroyed four and damaged a number of others. Bombing once more appeared to be indiscriminate, a large number of bombs falling on residential areas. Details of the damage and casualties are not yet to hand. Twelve enemy aircraft have been destroyed over Singapore today. It is stated authoritatively in London that the Japanese in Malaya appear to be developing their main thrust from Moar towards the

British communications running north and south. On January 19

there was extensive enemy air activity over the area east and south-east of Moar and strong enemy pressure was exerted along the road south-west and south-east of Moar. The Jananese main forces appear to be some 70 miles from Singapore. ANXIETY IN LONDON The increasing threat to Singapore is the cause of much anxiety in London, especially the news of the Japanese operation along the Malacca coast on the flank of the defenders. The Times says: “That the enemy can throw troops ashore with impunity from waters to which his naval squadrons cannot yet have penetrated and under air protection alone is at first sight startling. Those who are familiar with the curious topography of this region will find it easier to understand, for the low-lying ■ coast of mangrove swamps offers hiding places in its numerous creeks to the small fishing boats seized by the Japanese. They can lie up there during the day and have, no doubt, assembled there to launch attacks under cover of recent moonless nights.” The Times foresees a stem contest as the territory in front of Singapore is contracted. “As the fighting approaches the fortress the effectiveness of fighter aircraft based on the island itself is enhanced and there is welcome news today that the Royal Air Force in Malaya has received a considerable accession of strength and is exercising its new power in vigorous counter-

attack. In many other respects there has been, since the outbreak of the Japanese war, time for the reinforcement of the Singapore defences and it is to be presumed that advantage has been taken of it.”