MORE LANDINGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1941, Page 5

MORE LANDINGS

’ MADE BY THE ENEMY IN MALAYA IF. ■ > __ Severe and Confused Fighting ALL HONG KONG DEFENCES MAINTAINED FURTHER BOMBING RAIDS ON MANILA LONDON, December 9, The Japanese seem to be settling down to three main operations, attacks on Malaya, Hong Kong and the Philippines. In North Malaya severe and confused fighting continued for the control of Kota Baru Aerodrome throughout last night. British reinforcements are on their way. A Singapore communique states that the Japanese have succeeded in making additional landings from the sea. NO ATTACK IN SINGAPORE AREA A statement issued later flatly denies a Japanese attack on the Singapore area. At Hong Kong air raid alarms continued throughout the day. All defences are being successfully maintained. Artillery fire brought the enemy to an abrupt halt. All attacks on British warships were beaten off and no ships were hit. The Japanese have entered Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. They state that their troops in Northern Thailand are approaching towards the Burma Road. A Japanese allegation that British forces crossed the Thailand border before the Japanese invasion is denied officially in London. The Foreign Office is awaiting information on the subject of the agreement between Thailand and Japan before considering the effect on British relations with Thailand. Last night Japanese planes were reported over California. No bombs were dropped. Cities were blacked out and radio stations went off the air. Air Commodore A. E. Godfrey, Deputy Inspector-General of the Canadian Air Force, said their was reason to believe that there would be Japanese air attacks in North-west Pacific areas. Japanese planes had been seen near the Aleutian Islands (between Siberia and Alaska). '“"In British Columbia, the Mayor of Vancouver has also issued a warning that the Japanese have been reported off the Aleutian Islands and said that they were expected at Vancouver at any time. LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES AT MANILA Manila has been bombed again and fires started. It is stated that air losses ha,ve been heavy on both sides. The Japanese have suffered considerable losses. One report states that German pilots are flying Japanese planes. There is no confirmation of a report that the Japanese have made landings in the Philippines. It is announced in Manila that the United States minesweeper Penguin had been sunk by the Japanese. New Zealand announces that Nauru and Ocean islands have had a second bombing raid. South Africa has declared war on Japan. THREAT TO NEW YORK Near Approach of Enemy Planes Reported “APPROPRIATE ACTION TAKEN” * LONDON, December 9. LESS THAN TWO HOURS AGO, WASHINGTON ISSUED AN OFFICIAL WARNING THAT HOSTILE PLANES WERE WITHIN TWO HOURS’ FLYING DISTANCE OF NEW YORK. ALL AIRFIELDS HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE ALERT. Boston naval forces received official word that planes were approaching and appropriate action was taken. All families were evacuated from Mitchel Field, the Long Island air base near New York, and every plane has been taken off the field. The bombers were later reported to be 80 minutes away.