OUTLOOK IN MALAYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1942, Page 4

OUTLOOK IN MALAYA

HOPES OF DECISIVE TURN FOR BETTER Entertained In Singapore BUT PRESENT DANGERS AND PROBLEMS EMPHASISED EXTENSIVE REINFORCEMENT OF ALLIED NAVIES (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) SINGAPORE, January 7. Authoritative reports indicate that the position in Malaya is likely to take a decisive turn for the better during the next few weeks. Japanese landings in Malaya will become more and more difficult as the situation develops. Britain and America are rushing every possible supply to bolster Singapore s defences Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton has left the base to organise his fleet so that the Allies may gain sea supremacy in the Far East as soon as possible. An extensive reinforcement of the Allied navies in the Pacific has occurred and will continue. Reports of fighting in Malaya say that Japanese pressure on the main front has increased, mainly through the activities of suicide squads. Immediately these squads are mown down they are replaced by fresh troops. The Imperial forces on the east coast are continuing their withdrawal according to plan. The British forces have been counter-attacking in the Kuala Selangor region, where fighting is continuing in treacherous mangrove swamp country. The defenders are also trying to counter the Japanese thrust across the Bernam River. It is believed that a battle for Kuala Lumpur cannot long be delayed. The increasing danger of Japanese overwhelming air superiority continues to be emphasised in London as the most disturbing feature of the whole fighting, especially the fact that the Japanese Air Force seems to be swinging its blitz southwards to the roads, railways and airfields between their army and Singapore. . The “Daily Herald’s” aeronautical writer says the real air battle for Singapore will begin when the Japanese are able to seize the Kuala Lumpur and Port Swettenham airfields. The real danger now comes from that useful collection of ships and small craft which we were senseless enough to leave behind for the Japanese at Penang. It is feared that the Japanese, by sudden landings, may be able to seize the Kuala Lumpur and Port Swettenham airfields.

According to “The Times” Singapore correspondent, criticism of the failure to apply the scorched earth policy evidently is bearing fruit. The policy is now being applied with greater thoroughness than in the early stages of the Japanese advance. Tin mines are being flooded or dredges made unserviceable. On the rubber estates, where it is impossible to destroy every tree, all equipment is being destroyed.