HECTIC FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 January 1942, Page 4

HECTIC FIGHTING

PREDICTED IN MALAYA FATE OF SINGAPORE BEING DECIDED. ORDER OF THE DAY TO A.I.F. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) SINGAPORE, January 16. In operations in which an Australian patrol ambushed a party of advanced Japanese troops and a bridge behind the Japanese was blown up, the official Australian correspondent reports that the Japanese effected repairs during the night and in the morning a number of Japanese tanks came down the road. They were engaged by Australian anti-tank troops and six tanks were knocked out. Simultaneously on either side of the road infantry were dealing with Japanese attempts at infiltration. Then enemy air activity commenced, the. roads being savagely divebombed both behind our lines and along the path of outposts. This afternoon the enemy in strength, estimated at a brigade, with extra tanks and armoured cars, were beginning to make contact with our main body. Australian artillery are pounding the enemy, who are attacking fiercely. During the morning the enemy was also reported to be attacking further west. Here he was engaged by Australian artillery, supporting Indian troops and was checked by accurate and devastating fire.

In an order of the day to the A.I.F. Major General Bennett said: “Our job is not only to delay the Japanese but also to destroy him. In your hands rests not only the fate of Singapore but the security of Australia itself.” General Bennett predicted that there would be hectic fighting during the next two or three days.