STRONG JAPANESE ATTACKS

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

STRONG JAPANESE ATTACKS

BATTLE FOR MALAYA HEAVY USE OF AIRCRAFT TO COVER TROOPS <Recd. 11.30 p.m.) Singapore, Dec. It Japanese operations on the Malayan Peninsula are growing in intensity. They are fluowing reinforcements into northern Malaya in an effort to seize transport centres commending routes southward. During the past 24 hours they have continued both air and land efforts to obtain a footing in northern Malaya, without making much progress. Five of their aircraft were shot down during an attack on Butterworth Aerodrome. A further communique states that early this morning (Wednesday) the Japanese attempted to land on the east coast of Malaya, just north of Kuantan. where they are being engaged by our troops and aircraft. Naval reinforcement* and bomber-fighter unit* from Net reached Singapore yesterday. The Japanese are using strong air squadrons, covering their landing*.