COMMANDER IN JAVA

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

COMMANDER IN JAVA

WAVELL SUCCEEDED BY TER POORTEN CHANGE REGARDED AS LOGICAL (Rec. 7 p.m.) BANDOENG, March 3. General Sir Archibald Wavell has been succeeded in the command of the Allied forces in Java by General ter Poorten. General Wavell was flown direct from Java to Colombo in a Flying Fortress on February 26. An Allahabad message says that General Wavell has arrived in India but has not yet taken over from General Sir Alan Hartley. An Australian Associated Press correspondent says: The Dutch appeal - to feel that the change in command is a logical development. This is their fight now, and they are content to face the Japanese under the leadership of Geiieral ter Poorten and Admiral Helfrich in whom they have implicit confidence. Indeed, they feel that the Japanese advance might have been delayed by a sea action had Admiral Helfrich commanded the Allied fleet earlier. There are no indications that General Wavell greatly influenced the defence of the Netherlands East Indies. The Dutch had their plan cut and dried. It was merely to delay and destroy in the outer islands with small garrisons, and keep the army intact on Java, which is fortified to the best of Dutch ability. General Wavell, apparently, did not change the plan, even in details. “Java can safely be left to take care of the Netherlands East Indies,” says the newspaper Algemeen Indisch Dagblad, commenting on General Wavell’s departure. “Since communications between the Burma front and Java are practically broken off many wondered how the supreme commander could fulfil his tasks. General Wavell’s departure, therefore, was not entirely unexpected.” Major-General H. D. Sitwell, who, it is announced, commands the British forces in Java is a regular army officer, aged 45. MESSAGE TO DUTCH In a message to the Dutch people General Wavell said: “I have received orders, that in view of recent developments, the command of the Allied forces in Java should be handed over to the Dutch commanders, who have, in fact, for some time been exercising it under my general direction. I hand over the command to them with confidence, knowing, by experience, their capabilities and skill in handling the forces at their disposal, and their unshakeable resolution to do everything possible for the defence of Java. I have found them men of deed, rather than of words, and I have learned to appreciate the worth of everything they do. The Allied forces under their command will have every confidence in them.

“The change in command will not mean any cessation in the flew of aircraft and other war materials for the defence of Java. “I would like to express, on behalf of myself, my troops and staff, our very grateful thanks for the most generous co-operation we received in every way from the Dutch authorities and the people in the island, together with our admiration of their resolution and calmness in danger and adversity. I would send to the people of the Netherlands East Indies my most sincere wishes for a happy issue of their present struggle and for our final victory.”