INVASION OF JAVA BEGUN BY JAPANESE

Southland Times, Issue 24682, 2 March 1942, Page 5

INVASION OF JAVA BEGUN BY JAPANESE

FIERCE RESISTANCE MANY ENEMY SHIPS SUNK (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. la.m.) LONDON, March 1. The Japanese have landed in Java. One landing was made in the north-western part of Bantam Province in the Bay of Indramaju. A further strong fleet landed early this morning on an extensive front along the coast 30 kilometres east of Rembang. The Bantam landing was opposed by Allied forces. Two other landing fleets were attacked during the night by the Allied Air Force which inflicted losses on the enemy. These bombing attacks are continuing. The Columbia Broadcasting Corporation’s correspondent in Java telephoned on Sunday at 1.30 a.m. that the Allies were putting up a fierce resistance against the invaders. He asserted that air activity was continual on the whole front. The State Department at Washington announced that the United States Consulate in Batavia had already closed and the staff had left for an undisclosed destination. Officials pointed out that such action would indicate an extremely critical situation in Java. The landings were preceded by a heavy naval engagement in the Java Sea. Although full details of the battle are so far undisclosed it appears that Admiral Helfrich has given the Japanese invasion fleet a hammering even though he was knocked about himself. Fifteen Japanese transports were sunk and six were set on fire. A Japanese heavy cruiser, the Mogami, was sunk, two Japanese cruisers were seriously damaged and three destroyers left burning. The Allied losses were two cruisers and one destroyer sunk, all Dutch. It is stated that about 50 Japanese transports were included in the convoy. The battle is described as the biggest naval engagement in the Far Eastern war. The Allied warships and air forces made contact with the enemy on Friday afternoon. The battle raged for the rest of the day and throughout the night. Bright moonlight assisted the Allied planes. The Japanese armada is said to have consisted of two powerful fleets. One was heading in the direction of Batavia and the other for Sourabaya.