STRONG LINE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 January 1942, Page 3

STRONG LINE

HELD BY PHILIPPINE DEFENDERS BOTH FLANKS ON CHINA SEA. ARMIES CONSOLIDATED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, January 2. Reporting the present apparent situation in the big Philippine battle, New York messages state that General MacArthur, by a daring tactical manoeuvre while a major battle has been raging, has succeeded in consolidating his two armies in a wide arc round Manila. The terrain there is difficult for the most part. Both flanks are on the China Sea, with the fortifications of Corregidor and the naval islands in Manila Bay protecting the rear. The new line runs through jungle on much of its length, which will make the operations of the Japanese planes less effective. TERROR BOMBING IN NETHERLANDS ISLANDS. CASUALTIES IN NEW GUINEA. LONDON, January 2. Further terror-bombing has been done by Japanese planes in the Netherlands East Indies. Little damage has been done and there have been no casualties except at one place in New Guinea, where nearly 20 civilians were killed or wounded.

VAST BATTLE IN PROGRESS IN CENTRAL CHINA. ENORMOUS CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES. LONDON, January 2. In Central China a vast battle is going on, amidst snow, north-east of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. The Chungking radio calls it a battle of annihilation. Reinforcements have raised the strength of the Japanese forces to 100,000 men and casualties on both sides are said to be enormous. There is no confirmation of a Japanese claim to have entered Changsha.