Blueland Attacks Redland

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 27, 2 February 1937, Page 7

Blueland Attacks Redland

Big Operations at Singapore AIR, NAVY AND ARMY CO-OPERATE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyrigh u Received Monday, 9.30 p.m. SINGAPORE, Feb. I. Ships of tho China station, army units of the Singapore area, and Royal Air Force squadrons of the Far East Command, supplemented by certain squadrons from India and Iraq, started combined operations this morning which will give an ojjportunity for studying problems affecting the defence of Singapore. A communique states that Blueland, an imaginary independent State 1200 miles to the south-east of -Singapore, has a small but efficient fleet, including the fleet’s air arm and a small standing army armed and equipped on modern lines. Blueland always lived on terms oi friendship with Redland (Singapore) which is a fortified colony of a Western Power (Britain). Nevertheless Redland received intelligence on January 6, then classed as unreliable, that the Bluelanders had resolved to attempt an attack on Redland with the object of capturing the island. On the 12th reliable information was received to the effect that Blueland was fitting out a combined expedition to consist of warships, transports and aircraft carriers which was expected to sail at tho end of January. It was definitely established on Ferbuary Ist that the Bluolaudcrs had sailed.