ONLY SKIRMISHES

Southland Times, Issue 24654, 28 January 1942, Page 5

ONLY SKIRMISHES

LATEST FIGHTING IN PHILIPPINES WASHINGTON, January 26. A United States War Department communique states: “In the Philippines theatre fighting on the Batan Peninsula is confined to relatively unimportant skiritiishes on the west coast and in the vicinity of Subic Bay.” Delayed reports advise that the city of Cebu in the Philippines suffered from an intense air raid on Wednesday last. Eighteen enemy bombers participated. One small inter-island boat was sunk in Cebu harbour. No other serious damage was inflicted. General MacArthur, officer commanding the American forces in the Philippines, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday received a personal message from President Roosevelt congratulating him on the magnificent performance of his troops under his able leadership. IN BURMA The British withdrawal in the Moulmein area is officially stated in London to be continuing. The British troops have inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. It is officially announced from Rangoon that General Wavell visited Rangoon recently and discussed problems with the Government of Burma and the military, naval and air authorities. A later communique issued in Rangoon states that there is no change on the Tenasserim front. A company coma British officer and 100 Ghurkas, belonging to a battalion, which was cut off some days ago and was believed lost, has now fought its way back to the British lines.