JAPANESE LANDINGS IN FORCE

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21655, 16 February 1942, Page 5

JAPANESE LANDINGS IN FORCE

DUTCH DESTROYING OIL INSTALLATIONS PARACHUTISTS PRECEDE TROOPS FROM SEA (United Tress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) BATAVIA, February 14 Japanese forces are invading Sumatra, in the Netherlands East Indies. Landings on a large scale have been made at the great oil centre of Palembang, where the Dutch are destroying vast installations. The destruction under the “ scorched earth ” policy is on an unprecedented scale. Palembang city has a population of 120,000. An attack was made yesterday with aeroplanes and paratroops, 700 of whom were dropped in three places. Vigorous resistance was made and dozens of parachutists were killed. It was stated then that Palembang itself was not threatened; at least there were no indications that parachutists had approached or entered the town. Palembang lies 54 miles up the Moesi River, which is navigable by ocean-going ships only at high tide, and thus is risky for a Japanese attempt to ' attack Palembang from the sea. Moreover, the coastal strip is marshy for 70 miles and it was considered this would render it hazardous, if not impossible, for troops to land. Hence the use of paratroops. Palembang supplies 60 per cent of the Netherlands East Indies oil output. Its supply is 4,500,000 tons a year. Having lost the Balik Papan and Tarakan oil, the Japanese are making a desperate attempt to get the Palembang oil installations intact. More than 100 enemy aeroplanes, escorted by fighters, took part in the attack. Enemy reconnaissance flights over several parts of the outer provinces are being continued, while here and there attacks take place. At Tandjong and Pandang, capital of the tin island of Billiton, between Sumatra and Borneo, some bombs were dropped, as a result of which one civilian was slightly wounded. Two fighters machine-gunned an airfield on the same island without causing damage or casualties.