LIKE “A LIVING HELL”

Southland Times, Issue 24681, 28 February 1942, Page 5

LIKE “A LIVING HELL”

SINGAPORE BEFORE ITS FALL (Rec. 7 p.m.)) BATAVIA, February 26., Major-General Gordon Bennett, commander of the Australian Forces in Malaya, who made a thrilling escape from Singapore, in an interview described Singapore as “a living Hell.” The Australians fought gallantly right to the last in the three most important positions of the defence lines, he said. Lack of water, incessant bombing and greatly superior numbers compelled the surrender. Two hospitals, at the time of the surrender, had only enough water for 24 hours. Bombing and shelling were so severe that after three days only 14 men remained out of one group of 400 Australians. He added that with American help the British, Dutch and Chinese would defeat Japan. VISIT BY GENERAL WAVELL A Washington message says that Mr H. L. Stimson, United States Secretary for War, has disclosed that just before Singapore fell General Sir Archibald Wavell, supreme commander in the South-west Pacific, sustained a broken rib in his aeroplane as he was leaving the city. The General landed under artillery fire within 36 hours of the surrender of the island and the accident occurred when his plane was taking off under fire which apparently damaged it. Mr Stimson added that General Wavell had visited all the fronts at great personal risk. He had cabled to General MacArthur offering to go to the Batan Peninsula, but General MacArthur had declined the suggestion because he felt that General Wavell’s life was too precious to jeopardize.