FURTHER WITHDRAWAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1942, Page 3

FURTHER WITHDRAWAL

MACE ON THE MALAYAN FRONT AMERICANS EXPECTING LARGE-SCALE ATTACK IN PHILIPPINES

PERAK FIGHTING BRITISH LINES PENETRATED AT ONE POINT Some Losses of Guns and Transport ATTACK ON ENEMY-OCCUPIED AERODROME BIG FIRES STARTED IN RAID ON BANGKOK LONDON, January 8. Today’s Singapore communique reports a new move to the south by the British troops on the Lower Perak front. Our lines were penetrated by the enemy at one point and we suffered some losses in guns and transport. Further south the situation remains unchanged, beyond indications of some enemy infiltration eastwards. . In the early hours of this morning our aircraft raided an enemy-occupied aerodrome in north-,west Malaya. Low cloud prevented a clear observation of results. British planes started big fires in Bangkok, the capital oi Thailand, in an air attack last night. Australian planes bombed a Japanese base m the Caroline Islands, damaging installations and destroying a seaplane. A Japanese reconnaissance flight over the Bismarck Archipelago is reported. A Washington communique states that a large-scale enemy attack on the Philippines is expected in the near future. Fighting at present varies in intensity in all sectors. Japanese reinforcements are being brought up. For the first time for several days, there hive been no air attacks on the fortifications m Manila Bay. General MacArthur reports that the casualties of the American and Philippine troops have not been unduly heavy. Japanese casualties exceed those of the defending forces. The morale of the American and Philippine troops, General MacArthur states, is high and they may be counted on to continue their resistance with energy and courage.

CHINA OFFERS TROOPS At Any Point Where They Are Needed A Chungking message states that China is ready to send troops to any point where they are needed. The immense Chinese manpower is entirely at the disposal of the Allied Supreme Council. The losses of the Japanese are still mounting in the Changsha area. Some Japanese troops sent to help avert defeat were themselves surrounded and trapped. Chinese aircraft have successfully bombed Japanese positions in North Hunan, causing extensive damage to military objectives.

TERROR TACTICS MURDEROUS AIR ATTACKS BV JAPANESE ON HELPLESS CIVILIANS. IN UNDEFENDED TOWNS IN LUZON. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, January 7. An Army communique says: “General MacArthur has received reports of widespread damage done to defenceless towns in Luzon without military installations. The towns attacked included Baler, Santa Rose, Calamba and Tarlac, which were completely raze,d. “Civilians in Arayat, Camiling, San Ferando and elsewhere were machinegunned in the streets by low-flying planes. The Japanese deliberately attacked on Sundays and other religious holidays when the streets and churches were crowded. “There is nothing to report from other areas.”

JAPANESE REPORT TERRIFIC BATTLE UNDER WAY. ON THE PERAK BORDER. NEW YORK, January 7. Tokio official radio claims that a terrific battle is under way between the British and Japanese forces on the border of Perak and Selangor States, 250 miles north of Singapore. It adds that the encircled British troops are resisting desperately from then' strongly-fortified defences along the edges of dense jungles. SEA BATTLE REPORTED BY JAPANESE NO WASHINGTON COMMENT. NEW YORK, January 7. Tokio radio cited a report by the Japanese Navy headquarters stating: “The Japanese fleet is fighting the United States fleet in. the Western Pacific,” and adding, “British forces are also involved?’ In Washington the Navy spokesman declined to comment.