JAPANESE ATTACKS IN PACIFIC

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21599, 9 December 1941, Page 5

JAPANESE ATTACKS IN PACIFIC

FOUR MAIN DRIVES MADE

MALAYA AND HONGKONG BOMBED ENEMY GAINS DOMINATION OF THAILAND HEAVY ATTACKS BY THE ROYAL AIR FORCE LONDON, Dec. 8 The Japanese opened the war in the Pacific with four main drives against Thailand, Malaya, Hongkong and ihe American fortified bases in the Pacific area and according to messages reaching London the only gains they have made is in Thailand, where they have succeeded in gaining domination of the country. The Thailand troops resisted the Japanese soldiers for five hours and then the order came for cease fire while negotiations were commenced. Reports from Singapore, which have not been confirmed, state that the Thai Government has granted the Japanese the use of the country, while Tokio has announced that the Thai Government has given the Japanese troops free access across the country.

The Royal Air • Force has been active against the Japanese and bombers heavily bombed the ships which had taken the troops to Thailand. Bombers also attacked the convoys which landed the Japanese at Malaya.

This attack was followed by squadrons of torpedocarrying aeroplanes and it is stated that the Japanese ships hurriedly left, leaving their troops on the beaches where fierce fighting is in progress.

Singapore received another air raid today and an unofficial source claims that mustard gas bombs were dropped in the city. This is not confirmed.

Although there is no news of any naval battles Washington has released reports concerning the casualties inflicted by the bombing attacks on the Hawaii Islands. It is estimated that there were 3000 casualties and about 1500 were fatal. Manila, besides being bombed from the air, was also being shelled from the sea. Reinforcements of American aeroplanes were being rushed to the Pacific bases.

America and Britain today as did the Free French headqu ernment, and the Latin Ameri Nicaragua and Salvador. British Bases Attacked Japanese forces are attacking all the vital British and United States bases in the Pacific. A message from Singapore says 60 persons were killed and 133 injured m the first raid by Japanese bombers. An attempted landing by Japanese forces in Northern Borneo was driven off by British troops. Japanese naval units have surrounded Guam, the American island base 1500 miles east of the Philipm pines, and the oil reservoirs and K hotel have been set on fire. During the raid on Guam Pan-American Airways’ base was damaged. President Roosevelt told newspaper men in Washington that the base at Guam had been virtually destroyed. Japanese troops are attempting to attack Hongkong. At dawn today Japanese aeroplanes raided the colony. Kowloon was also attacked. All British women and children have been evacuated from Hongkong. The Japanese have taken control of Shanghai after sinking a British gunboat, which fought to the last. Steps by United States

• declared war against Japan, larters, the Netherlands Govican States of Costa Rica,

All steps to meet the emergency had been taken by the United States Navy, and for the past 10 days patrols have been in force from Formosa to Malaya. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says United States warships are expected to operate out of Singapore as soon as possible, protecting vital rubber shipments necessary to the American war programme. Further detailed discussions will soon take place between America, Britain, China and the Netherlands to devise a “total srheme” of limiting the activities of the Japanese fleet. Immediate steps will be taken to meet the increased menace to the Burma Road. President Roosevelt conferred for hours last night with his naval and military chiefs and with the heads of other departments.