HUGE SLAUGHTER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20661, 12 January 1942, Page 7

HUGE SLAUGHTER

JAPANESE FORCES BRITISH OUTNUMBERED BIG OFFENSIVE BEGUN (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.' (Reed. Jan. 10, 2 p.m.) SINGAPORE, Jan. 9, . With the further southward advance of the enemy the threat to Kuala Lumpur has greatly increased. The Japanese main forces, supported by heavy tanks, guns and ’planes, breaking from the jungle started a general offensive on r the western Malaya front. The attack developing along the Klim River and the Bil River north of Tanjong, 50 miles north of Kuala Lumpur. The United Press correspondent says that intrepid British advanced troops are holding the attack, though outnumbered by scores to one. In a despatch from the Klim River front the British United Press correspondent says that the slaughter of Japanese in some areas is unbelievable. British concentrated fire has mown down wave after wave of Japanese and whole detachments have been blown to pieces. The correspondent adds that the Japanese are using more and bigger* tanks. Flying 300 miles from their bases, in Burma, five aircraft of the American volunteer group with the R.A.F. bombed Meshod aerodrome, near Bangkok. A communique issued at Rangoon stated that the raiders destroyed seven Japanese aircraft on the ground. Oihe American ’plane is missing. A Chinese military spokesman in Chungking said that Chinese troops in Burma are moving up to designated positions and are ready to enter Arma when and if needed. The Tokio radio announced that an enemy submarine torpedoed and damaged the Japanese freighter, Unkai Maru, off the Izushichito Islands, south of Tokio.