MAJOR BATTLE GOING ON NORTH OF CITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 January 1942, Page 3

MAJOR BATTLE GOING ON NORTH OF CITY

Invaders Suffering Heavy Losses CONTINUED FIGHTING ON MALAYAN FRONTS ENEMY AIR RAIDERS ACTIVE LONDON, January 1. The latest news from the Philippines is conveyed in a United States War Department communique which says that a major battle is now going on north of Manila. American and Filipino forces are continuing to resist the Japanese advance and occupy strong’ positions. General Macarthur s forces have inflicted heavy losses on the invaders. The War Department states that it has not ordered General Macarthur to leave the Philippines. . The communique also states that three islands in the Hawaiian Group have been shelled by enemy submarines. There were no casualties and little damage was done. On the Perak front, in Malaya, British forces are in contact with the enemy. A Singapore communique says there has been some enemy shelling’. One of our companies inflicted at least 100 casualties on the enemy. Fighting continues in Eastern Malaya. Japanese bombers twice raided Singapore last night and did some slight damage to civilian property. So far 17 civilian casualties have been reported. Other enemy bombers raided Port Swettenham and did some damage to military objectives. A Reuter correspondent on the Northern Malayan front says the Japanese are suffering enormous casualties in their southward drive, but are fighting with great tenacity in advancing against our concerted fire. The Japanese are making great use of dive-bombers and whippet tanks. It was officially announced in Singapore today that 32 enemy aircraft have been destroyed in the Far East since the outbreak of war with Japan. Eight other enemy aircraft were probably destroyed and 16 were damaged. It is reported that the bulk of the British forces have been withdrawn from Sarawak. A Singapore message says they are in touch with Netherlands forces in West Borneo. A remarkable feat by a Netherlands flying-boat is reported. It rescued and brought ashore 48 members of- the crew of an American freighter which was set on fire by Japanese planes. An American report states that Netherlands forces have sunk four more Japanese transports off the coast of Thailand. The British War Office states that steps have already been taken to obtain information regarding the treatment of prisoners of war taken in Hong Kong and Malaya. The Japanese Government has been informed that the British Government is complying with the 1929 Prisoners of War Convention and the Japanese Government is asked to give an assurance that it will do the same.