PARACHUTE LANDINGS

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

PARACHUTE LANDINGS

HUNDREDS SLAUGHTERED SEA INVASION FOLLOWS COmciaj Wireless) (Received Feb. 16, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 15 The Japanese on Saturday morning launched an attack over Palembang, dropping large numbers of parachutists, says a communique issued today by the headquarters of the Netherlands East Indies forces at Batavia. One Japanese bomber was shot down. Several hundreds of parachutists were dropped, according to a very rough estimate. They are armed with Tommy-guns, light mortars and other weapons. The attacks were clearly directed against the oil refineries but the enemy did not succeed in capturing them. Our troops did a good job and made short work of the invaders. Towards evening two points of attack were cleared of parachutists, while on the third point we had the situation fully in hand, with only some tens of the enemy still alive. Thorough Destruction In connection with large scale landings expected in the course of this morning, and which while this communique was being issued were in full swing, we proceeded in the course of last night to carry out the thorough destruction of all vital points in the vicinity of Palembang. Bombers of the Netherlands Indies Army this morning scored direct hits on three Japanese transport ships near Muntok, on Banka Island. In south Celebes, fighting has been cotinuing, especially in the vicinity of Macassar. Resistance is being maintained with great stubbornness. Anabas Islands, east of Malaya, have been occupied by the Japanese. Slight enemy air activity is reported in various places in the outer provinces. The Stefani News agency (Italian) 1 declared that Japanese troops, strongly supported by warships, have landed in Java. In addition, the Japanese today made fresh landings in the vicinity of Palembang.