REAL THREAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 December 1941, Page 5

REAL THREAT

RAISED TO SINGAPORE ADVANTAGES GAINED BY ENEMY. IMPORTANCE OF AIRFIELDS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, December 16. From reports reaching London of the fighting in the Far East, the serious effect which the loss of the Prince of Wales and Repulse has had on the whole of the operations is seen. It seems likely that virtual control of the waters around Indo-China and the Gulf of Siam has passed to the Japanese. For this reason, Japan’s task of landing and supplying troops in northern and eastern Malaya has been rendered much easier than might have been hoped. The attitude adopted by Thailand has also greatly assisted the Japanese. As a result of the considerable forces which Japan has been able to land at Kota Baru and in Sawi Bay, opposite Victoria Point, in Southern Burma, Britain has been deprived of the use of two of her most important airfields and the Japanese, presumably operating from Thailand as well as from Indo-China, have been able to exercise a considerable degree of air control. As a result of all these factors, the position in Malaya is seen as serious. Very heavy fighting continues and it apears that the British forces are facing superior numbers at several points. There appears to be an indication that the British forces may be forced back towards Singapore and the land threat to this vital base would seem to be a real one.