FAR EAST BATTLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1942, Page 3

FAR EAST BATTLES

JAPANESE ADMIT WITHDRAWAL FROM CHANGSHA CONTINUED FIGHTING IN MALAYA AND PHILIPPINES

ENEMY PRESSURE MAINTAINED IN LOWER PERAK Raid on Rabaul by Japanese Flying-Boats HEAVY FIGHTING ON LUZON FRONTS THE CHINESE VICTORY IN HUNAN LONDON, January 7. In Malaya the Japanese have made some penetration of our lines at one point in Lower Perak. There has been considerable air activity in this area. In eastern Malaya our forces in Pahang are still withdrawing according to plan. Further south a Japanese attempt to turn our flank has been successfully held. In London it is stated that Japanese landings in Ma aya will become more and more difficult as the situation develops, was pointed out that enemy landings were bound to occur m the earlier stages of this conflict. . The Australian envoy, Sir Earle Page, declared m Londo that we must preserve our position in Singapore and the Far' East at all costs. , Japan made a further attack on Australian territory last night when two long-range flying boats raided Rabaul, on the northern tip of New Britain. The raid caused slight damage but no casualties. Australian fighters went up and the raiders made off to the north. , , . , Since Japan entered the war, Netherlands air and sea forces have sunk two Japanese cruisers, two destroyers, nine transports, two tankers and two merchant ships. i A Japanese communique admits that a Japanese submarine was sunk in the Pacific and says that a Japanese cruiser was damaged slightly by air attack off Davao. A United States War Department communique reports heavy fighting along’ the whole front in the Philippines. Japanese troops and planes are subjecting the defending forces to continuous bombardment. Forty-five enemy bombers made another attack on Corregidor and on the peninsula to the north. Several of the bombers were shot down. The Chinese Ambassador to Britain, Dr Wellington Koo, stated in London that the aim of the Japanese in attacking Changsha, which is a key town on the Canton-iHankow railway, was to gain the use of that railway in moving forces to Malaya from the port of Canton. For the fourth time in three years, however, the Japanese had been defeated at the very gates of Changsha. Tokio admits a strategic withdrawal from Changsha. Another report states that Changsha has been entirely cleared of the enemy and that the inhabitants are returning to their homes.