Spitfires Attack Malayan Terrorists

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1948, Page 5

Spitfires Attack Malayan Terrorists

SINGAPORE, July 22. Firing machine-guns and cannons, K.A.F. Spithres went imoj action this afternoon against an: insurgent band, estimated at 50, aot-acKing a miiitary iorce souoii of j Bertam, in Kelantan State. The attack was the fourth . successfulj engagement in which the R.A.F.i have taken part in the past 24 j hours. i Bertam is about 15 miles northj oi Guamusang, where terrorists xast Saturday were -reported to have captured 16 police and later ambushed a- miiitary party coming .o their rescue, killing a major and five members of the Malay Regiment. Spitfires today "saturated" the atea ahead of an'advancing miiitary force with machine-gun^ and cannon fire, says an R.A.F. statement. The Spitfires' four attacks in 24 hours included a surprise attack on insurgent headquarters in Ferak, where scattering terrorists were machine-gunned and cannoncd for 20 minutes, believediy with "heavy casualties." An Ipoh judge today imposed two death sentences under the new emergency regulations. Two Chines.e were sentenced to death for il.egal possession of arms and ammunition. Another was sentenced to five years and a fourth to one year on the same charge.