Late News FIERCE BATTLE RAGING

Southland Times, Issue 24682, 2 March 1942, Page 3

Late News FIERCE BATTLE RAGING

STRONG OPPOSITION TO JAPANESE

(Rec. 2 a.m.) LONDON, March 1. A fierce battle on sea and land is raging for Java. A communique issued at Batavia says that the Allies are resisting fiercely at three main points, Bantam (North Java), Rembang (a coastal town 100 miles west of Sourabaya) and Indamaju. At Bantam desperate opposition has been made to all landings on the beaches. A Cutch destroyer was beached in a sinking condition after an engagement with two Japanese cruisers. The Allies are bombing the Japanese naval units heavily. Netherlands and American submarines took part in opposing the landings. Japanese losses in this area include one transport sunk and one damaged. The Allies claim to have scored hits on a warship which blew up and on one 6000-ton transport. Hits were also scored on a cruiser. It is obvious that the Japanese meant to secure the oil refineries on.the island, but these had been demolished. The Allied warships were ordered to attack at all costs. In spite of its losses the Netherlands Navy is still inflicting losses on the invaders. Dutch, British, Australian and United States forces are engaged in the naval battle against a superior force of Japanese combatant ships. The United States naval forces are thought to consist of one heavy cruiser and five destroyers.