MAJOR BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 December 1941, Page 3

MAJOR BATTLE

GROWING INTENSITY OF LAND AND AIR FIGHTING Dutch Planes Destroy Large Japanese , Tanker HONG KONG GARRISON RESISTING DESPERATELY I COMMANDER OF CANADIAN FORCE AMONG \ KILLED LONDON, December 23. Tonight’s news from the' Philippines deals mostly with the great battle that is being fought in the vicinity of Lingayen Bay, on the west coast of Luzon Island. A major engagement is being fought. The defending American and Filipino troops gained some initial success, but the Japanese have landed additional troops, supported by increasing numbers of fighter and bomber aircraft. The intensity of the air fighting is indicated in the bag secured by one Filipino and two American pilots. Between them they shot down eight Japanese planes. Japanese bombers continue their raids on various' parts of the island, including an area reserved for evacuees. Heavy casualties were caused. Batavia reports that near Davao, on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, where'fighting continues, Netherlands planes attacked enemy ships. A direct hit was made on the largest of these —a tanker of about 10,000 tons and the ship burst into flames.

VALIANT DEFENCE Half of Hong Kong Still Held by Garrison A communique received from Hong Kong’ reports that fighting continues all along the line. A slight enemy penetration m the central sector has been contained by our forces. The situation is substantially unchanged. Ottawa announces that the casualties of the Canadian troops have been heavy. The killed include the commander of the Canadian force, Brigadier J. K. Lawson, and Colonel P. Hannafay, chief of the Canadian head- . quarters staff. , 4 Reuter’s correspondent in Hong Kong reports local successes 'by the Allied forces along the lines held by them on the previous A communique from Singapore, dated yesterday, stated that ,the garrison was holding the western half of the island and resisting enemy attempts to drive further west. The eastern half of the island is in Japanese hands, but even here some positions are being held tenaciously by the British troops. While our men are battling desperately against overwhelming odds, the Chinese forces on the mainland are making a magnificent effort to relieve Japanese pressure against the garrison. A Chungking communique states that the Chinese main forces are within 27 miles of the island and that Chinese guerilla forces are within 14 miles. . , A communique issued by the British Embassy at Chungking states that the embassy was in contact with Hong Kong at midday. The defenders were still fighting valiantly. Two enemy vessels were destroyed by motor torpedo-boats yesterday. About 100 bombs were dropped on the island yesterday.

IN PROGRESS IN THE PHILIPPINES

ADDITIONAL JAPANESE TROOPS LAND ON LUZON