ATTACKING IN NORTHERN MALAYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1941, Page 6

ATTACKING IN NORTHERN MALAYA

Attempt to Gain Possession of Aerodromes GALLANT DEFENCE BY INDIAN TROOPS ENEMY PARACHUTISTS CAPTURED IN PHILIPPINES (By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) • SINGAPORE, December 10. Reports reaching Singapore indicate that the position of the defending forces in Northern Malaya leaves no ground for complacency. Aerodromes there are being constantly attacked by large forces of enemy planes, which are dive-bombing recklessly. The Japanese are doing their utmost to render the upcountry airfields untenable and to force the K.A.F. and Royal Australian Air Force to relinquish them in favour of aerodromes nearer Singapore. Famous British Indian regiments which are holding- attempts to advance down the Malayan west coast, are undergoing- a very severe trial and fighting- with great valour against larger forces, to which the Japanese are constantly adding through Singora. Enemy planes flew over Singapore last night, but did not drop bombs. British fighters drove them off. Penang was raided last evening by fourteen Japanese planes, which attacked the aerodrome. There were no casualties. Butterworth was also raided by Japanese bombers, which were engaged by fighters over the town. A Manila message says the Philippine Constabulary captured enemy parachutists at Wigan, 200 miles north-west of Manila. Informed circles in Manila say the Japanese Air Force is using- German equipment. German-marked 20 millimetre shells were fired from Japanese planes in yesterday’s raid on Clarkfield.