SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1941, Page 5

SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS

MADE ON JAPANESE SHIPPING By U.S.A. Submarines and Australian Bombers REPORTED EVACUATION OF IPOH IN MALAYA CONTINUED HEAVY FIGHTING IN PHILIPPINES LONDON, December 29. In the Far East, Japanese shipping has been successfullyattacked by American submarines and Australian bombers. A Navy Department communique issued in Washington, states that an American submarine has sunk a Japanese transport and a supply vessel. Earlier today Tokio admitted the loss of two destroyers and a mine-sweeper. North of the Celebes, Australian bombers scored several hits on ships in a Japanese convoy. A port in Sarawak was raided by the Netherlands East Indies Air Force and a large enemy troop transport was hit. Nearly 1000 miles to the west an enemy occupied aerodrome in northern Malaya was again raided by our aircraft. It is from this aerodrome that Japanese bombers set out to raid Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and other places in Malaya. A Reuter message from Singapore indicates that Ipoh, the tip-mining 11 centre in north-west Malaya, has been evacuated. Our troops have withdrawn and established themselves in new positions south of the town. There is no confirmation of this in London. , ' Japanese bombers again raided our positions at Kuantan, on the east coast of Malaya, without causing damage or casualties. On the west coast Japanese planes attacked Port Smettenham and an aerodrome nearby. A SANGUINARY STRUGGLE A War Department communique, issued from Washington, states that General Macarthur, the United States Commander-in-Ohief in the Philippines, has consolidated the majority of his troops on a shorter line in the heart of a valley which leads to Manila. In the last few days the Japanese have been heavily reinforced by several infantry and tank divisions and cavalry. Their troops are composed of veteran soldiers armed with modern equipment. The American and Filipino troops, fighting ' against heavy odds, are in good heart and continue to offer a t stout resistance. Both sides have suffered heavy losses. Enemy air activity continues to be heavy throughout the Philippines. In spite of having been declared an open city, Manila has been repeatedly bombed. NO PARACHUTISTS IN SUMATRA A Batavia message states that news of a Japanese air attack on Medan aerodrome, in Sumatra, is confirmed, but that reports of the landing of Japanese parachute troops in that island appear to have been based on a misapprehension.