MALAYAN OFFENSIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1942, Page 5

MALAYAN OFFENSIVE

Japanese Landings From Small Craft FURTHER AIR FIGHTING OVER RANGOON In Malaya further Japanese landings are reported at the mouths of the Perak and Burnham rivers, the latter of which marks the frontier between Perak and Selangor. The landings were made from small craft probably seized in coast towns further north. Though not made in any great force, the landings constitute a threat to the left flank of the British lines. Replying to a Christmas message from his constituents,Mr Duff Cooper, Britain’s special envoy'in Malaya, wrote: “We are all confident here.” Further air raids were made on Rangoon yesterday and today. Some damage was done to two aerodromes outside the city, but there were no casualties. Yesterday the raiders were met by six fighters piloted by Americans. The Americans were greatly outnumbered and three were shot down, but all the pilots are safe. One enemy plane was definitely shot down and two probably shared that fate. According to a news agency message from Rangoon the Japanese, in their attacks on Rangoon, are using fighters for daylight raids and bombers for night raids. This is a significant change of tactics after the bad mauling their bombers received in two daylight attacks last week. A Singapore communique reports that British aircraft bombed and machine-gunned Japanese shipping off the coast of Malaya.