“MUST LOOK TO HERSELF”

Southland Times, Issue 24685, 5 March 1942, Page 5

“MUST LOOK TO HERSELF”

DEFENCE OF JAVA MORE PLANES NEEDED (Rec, 9 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. The Netherlands Minister of the Colonies in a statement issued in London said “Java must now look to herself. We can now just go on attacking the Japanese by land and in the air, but if we are to hold out we need all the reinforcements possible. Additional aeroplanes are absolutely essential for Java’s defence. “The Japanese are able to reinforce themselves without the great probability of serious interference. The situation of Java has always been appreciated. That is why the Dutch have not believed in the policy of waiting for the Japanese. “The fact that the Japanese landed between 60,000 and 100,000 men is not surprising because of the number of beaches and inlets. The Japanese are evidently attempting to cut the island in half and capture Sourabaya, which has been made more or less independent with its own defence system against land and sea attacks.” Dutch circles in London state that the Dutch East Indies regular army totals 50,000 men. Of these 20,000 are Dutchmen. There are also 50,000 trained and well equipped conscripts and home guards. The number of British and American troops in Java is not great. INVADERS HELP A communique from Bandoeng says that Dutchmen, in face of strong enemy landings, sank two more large transports and captured one of the enemy’s tankers, with invaluable oil. It can be said, the communique adds, that the first shock of the enemy landings has been checked. The Japanese bid to put Java’s airfields out of action seems a long way from realisation. In none of the three regions of Java where the enemy landed troops from Saturday night to Sunday has the enemy succeeded in advancing since the first infiltration which was carried out on Sunday. At various points the Al- ' lied troops who are showing a splendid offensive spirit are in close contact with the enemy. Summing up the communique says that the Allied forces are holding their positions while the enemy advance has been halted.

The British United Press Bandoeng correspondent says that the Japanese have been pushed back at least seven miles in one sector but that concern is felt at the lack of reports from Central Java. The Japanese are using fire bombs and flame throwers. RAID ON BANDOENG

Japanese planes carried out a mass attack on Bandoeng, now the seat of the Netherlands East Indies Government and regarded as the most easily defended city in Java. The action lasted for 90 minutes and there were 102 casualties. A. handful of Allied fighters went into action against an enormously superior number of enemy aircraft and at one point 42 bombers and 18 fighters were encountered simultaneously. The anti-aircraft defences were unable to break up the Japanese formations. The bombing was mostly near the aerodrome.