SIGNAL GIVEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1941, Page 5

SIGNAL GIVEN

EMPIRE FORCES GO INTO ACTION . SIR R. BROOKE-POPHAM'S COMMUNIQUE. PREPARATIONS MADE & TESTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SINGAPORE, December 8. The following communique was issued today by the British Commander-in-Chief in the Far East, Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham:--“Japan’s action today gives the signal for the Empire’s army, naval and air forces, with their Allies, to go into action with a common aim and ideals. We have had plenty of warning. Preparations have been made and tested. We do not forget at this moment the years of patience and forbearance in which we have borne with dignity and discipline the petty insults and insolences inflicted on us by the Japanese. We know those things were done only because Japan thought she could take advantage of our supposed weakness. Now, when Japan herself has decided to put the matter to a sterner test, she will find that she has made a grievous mistake.

“What of the enemy? We see before us a Japan drained for years past by claims from her wanton onslaught on China. We see Japanese trade and industry so dislocated by years of reckless adventure that in a mood of desperation her Government plunges her to war under the delusion that by stabbing a friendly nation in the back she can gain her ends. “We here in the Far East form part of a great campaign for the preservation of truth, justice and freedom. Confidence, resolution, enterprise and devotion to the cause must and will inspire every one of us to present a bold front to the enemy and place our faith in final victory.”

ATTACK ON MALAYA

DETAILS OF JAPANESE FORCES THE THREAT TO KOTABARU. DEFENSIVE ORGANISATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) SINGAPORE, December 8. The Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlement, Sir Shenton Thomas, announced that the Japanese force off Kotabaru consisted of one cruiser, four destroyers, one armed merchantman and one transport. The main landing occurred off Singaro. R.A.F. reports say the Japanese also landed at Patani from transports and destroyers. Air raid casualties in Singapore are 60 dead and 135 taken to hospital. Other Singapore messages say the enemy landing near Kotabaru means that members of the Australian Air Force will be the first in action in de-

fence of Malaya, for R.A.F. bomber squadrons are operating from Kotabaru aerodrome while the defence of the aerodrome itself is in the hands of Indian troops, who have been trained during months past to repel landings such as this. Although the aerodrome is close to the coast, the attacking troops will be obliged to traverse considerable areas of jungle in order to reach their objective.

KOWLOON BOMBED

AS WELL AS HONG KONG. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) HONG KONG, December 8. Japanese planes bombed Kowloon (on the mainland) as well as Hong Kong. Slight damage was done.