INDONESIAN RESISTANCE IS STIFFENING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 270, 15 November 1945, Page 5

INDONESIAN RESISTANCE IS STIFFENING

BRITISH PROGRESS IN JAVA TWO JAPANESE GENERALS TAKEN Reed. 11.10 p.m. Batavia, Nov. 14. It is officially stated that Indonesian resistance in Sonrabaya is increasing, but British and Indian forces are making progress. The Indonesians launched an attack on the railway, which divides the town in two. but British artillery dispersed them. Two Japanese generals, charged with complicity in the disturbances in Java, have been arrested. They had to stand bareheaded in front of the Allied commander (General Hawthorne) while the indictment was read. This alleged that they deliberately evaded the terms of surrender and gave arms to an unruly mob, in defiance of the orders of Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten. They have been flown to Singapore for trial.

Alter capturing the main railway station Indian troops yesterday advanced 100 yards south of the railway to take large Government buildings* says the Associated Press Sourabaya correspondent. The advance was preceded by bombing, strafing and an artillery and mortar barrage, which was directed against the entire enemy line. The advance along the railway was led by British tanks. The Indonesians entrenched in pillboxes an 1 stubbornly defended the railway station, which is in the centre of the town.

“The Times” Batavia correspondent says that in order to save lives in the Sourabaya operation Major-General Mansergh is deliberately going slowly. Indonesian resistance does not appear formidable, but as he advances he is making sure the areas taken are properly cleared. The Indonesians are reported to be digging possible gun emplacements at a point north-west of Sourabava. from which they could shell British shipping in Sourabaya harbour. The destroyer Carron plastered the area with 4.5 and 40 millimetre shells, with unobserved results. An Associated Press correspondent in Batavia says that the sweeping Cabinet reorganisation has given rise to hopes that the Javanese strife will be settled by negotiations WELL-TRAINED FORCES

The British forces in Sourabaya, spearheaded by tanks and supported by naval and field artillery, continued to edge towards the naval base, more than half of which is reported to be under British control. There is no indication of the four-day battle losing any of its fury. The British have continued a house-to-house battle against powerful, well-trained forces, which are using first-class Japanese equipment, including field artillery. The bodies of two Japanese, wearing Japanese uniforms, were found in an Indonesian bunker in Sourabaya after the bunker was over-run. The tactics employed by the Indonesians are of Japanese standard and practice, and there is little doubt that some Japanese are still actively engaged in the fighting at Sourabaya. Mr. Sjahrir is retaining temporarily foreign affairs and home affairs portfolios. Other members of his Cabinet are Professor Sunryo Kolopakeng, Minister of Finance, and Dr. Suwandi, Minister of Justice. Kolopakeng was formerly professor of economics at Batavia University.

TWO JAP GENERALS ACCUSED PUBLICLY INDICTED Recd. 10.45 pjn. Batavia. Nov. 14. Ma;’ar-General D. C. Hawthorn, British commander in Java, formally and publicly accused Lieut.-General Yuichiro Nagano, commander-in-chief of the Japanese 16th Army. To-day, of deliberately handing over his arms to “unruly elements in the country.” and thus >enabl : ng them to cause bloodshed and loss of life to Allied troops. Major-General Hawthorn also accused Nagano of surrendering his forces to unauthorised persons. General Hawthorn had Nagano and his chi°f of staff, Major-General Moichiro Yamamoto parade be r ore him at his headquarters, where he received their, swords and ordered their arrest. He then ordered they be flown to Singapore, tvhere their conduct will be invest : gated. Tanks stood outside headnuarters. traffic wastopped, and there was an air of stiff ceremony about the castigation. Nagano stood with bowed head while General Hawthorn told him that action would taken as directed bv Admiral Mountb-tten. In th? statement interpreted to both generals, they were told that, in General Hawhorn’s opinion, they deliberately and dishonourably failed to carry out the terms of surrender imposed on their nation.