SERIOUS VIEW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 December 1941, Page 5

SERIOUS VIEW

TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR OF MALAYA SURVEY OF SITUATION. RESULTS OF DEFECTION OF THAILAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright)

(Received This: Day, 10.50 a.m.) SINGAPORE. December 16

The Governor (Sir Shenton Thomas) addressing the Legislative Council, said the enemy’s losses in the first week of the war had been very heavy. It was now learned that the ships sunk by members of the R.A.A.F. off Kota Baru carried tanks, “but (he added) we too have suffered and we cannot yet say ho.w the battle will go. We hope our men will be able to maintain their present position, but it must be obvious to everybody that the fate of Penang depends largely upon what happens to Kedah. The decision of the Government of Thailand not to'resist invasion, despite all its protestations in recent weeks, left us alone to defend the northern frontier of Malaya. There is not a word of truth in the Japanese allegation that we first entered Thailand. The free passage which Thailand has given to Japanese troops made it possible for our aerodromes in the north to be put out of action by bombing and for the Japanese to launch a large-scale attack against Kedah. In this battle our troops are fighting with splendid courage and inflicting severe casualties. The R.A.F. and R.A.A.F. have co-operated with them in every possible way and in addition have inflicted heavy losses, especially at Kota Baru, where they played a great part in delaying the enemy’s initial landing. Bombing attacks against enemy aerodromes are being carried out day and night. The Netherlands East Indies Army and Ail' Force are playing their part in the defence of this country.”

It is authoritatively stated that the A.I.F. has not yet gone into action against the enemy, although it is standing by in readiness for any attempt against the important sector it is holding.