BRITISH FIGHT TO DEFEND HONGKONG AND MALAYA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 292, 11 December 1941, Page 5

BRITISH FIGHT TO DEFEND HONGKONG AND MALAYA

THREAT TO PHILIPPINES

JAPANESE TROOPS HAVE LANDED

REPORTED ATTACK BY THE CHINESE ON CITY OF CANTON

(By Telegraph—Prees Awocialioa—Copyright.) i Reed. 11.45 p.iu.) London, Dec. 10. British tones are fighting hard to defend Hongkong and Malaya. The Japan, se have landed troops in the Philippine Islands. These three theatres seem to be the main Japanese objectives of the moment in the war in the Pacific. At Hongkong British forces, which include Canadians, reported to he in > line fettle, have halted the Japanese attack. Chinese troops, it is reported, have launched attacks on Canton, more than ]OO miles to the north of Hongkong, with the object of relieving the pressure on the British base.

In Malaya, the .Japanese have made little progress in Hie last 24 hours, but a British communique from Singapore stresses the difficulties under which the defenders are fighting. Defence, of Rangoon (Burma) haie been reinforced by the arrival of seasoned and well-equipped Indian troops.

United States bombers (presumably | in the Philippines) have attacked Japanese ships and scored direct hits. | One heavily-laden transport was seen I to capsize. President Roosevelt announced! that the Japanese attacked Clark Field and the Philippines a second time yesterday, causing casualties. One United States officer and some soldiers were killed. Enemy Assisted by Light*. The Associated Press ol America's Manila correspondent says the Japanese bombing of Manila has been aided by light signals from the ground. The Army spokesman said officials were taking the utmost precautions to arrest and punish those responsible for setting oft flares, fireworks and other signals. Al the same time an American aviator who participated in the air battles said the Japanese ground strafing tactics indicated German instruction. if not actual German participation in the fighting. A Japanese land assault on Hongkong began at dawn on Monday, reports the Associated Press of America's correspondent. It was countered immediately and heavy road and railway demolitions were completed in two hours. The Japanese then felt the blast of heavy artillery from the defences. Canadian troops weie in great fettle, helping to bring the Japanese to a sudden halt. British warships heat off Japanese bombers with anti-aircraft fire. Hongkong Artillery. A British communique says that Hongkong artillery halted the Japanese advance. A Hongkong communique stated that there had been a quiet night on Monday. Contact had boon maintained with the enemy at Taipo, and along the new territories road, with patrol

xzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx activity on both sides. No air raids had occurred. A Chinese company of sappers had taken a leading ana, admirable part in the operation. A bren gun-carrier patrol ambushed and annihilated a Japanese platoon in the territories. An enemy scout came into contact with one of our marines, with disastrous consequences to himself. Japanese forces have been sighted off the Aleutian Islands, which extend in a chain south-west of Alaska, thus presenting a definite thieat to the United States and Canadian west coast Rear-Admiral A. G. Godfrey stated that the Canadian and United States Army, Navy and Air Force personnel were standing by. Guam Island Occupied. It is officially announced that the United Stales minesweeper Pengum has been sunk by the Japanese outside Guam harbour. The Tokio radio to-day claims that the Japanese flag is flying over Wake and Guam islands. It said that Guam was taken without resistance. Heavy Japanese air and sea attacks had been made against Guam and the Japanese earlier claimed that an oil reservoir had been set on fire and that the island had been surrounded by Japanese naval vessels. President Roosevelt warned the American peop'e n his broadcast today to be prepared for Japanese occupation not only of Guam, but Midway and Wake Islands. REICHSTAG TO MEET LIKELY DECLARATION OF WAR ON U.S.A. Recd. 8.20 p.m.) London. Dec. 10. Hitler is reported to have sumoned the Reichstag for to-day. nt hich he will he announcing a < declaration of war against the United Slates in support of Japan,