HEAVY FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 January 1942, Page 3

HEAVY FIGHTING

LAND AND AIR OPERATIONS IN MALAYA & PHILIPPINES AT LEAST THIRTEEN ENEMY PLANES SHOT DOWN AT SINGAPORE

JOHORE BATTLES . BRITISH GUNS TAKE HEAVY TOLL OF JAPANESE Raids on Enemy-Occupied Aerodromes FIGHTING FORTY-FIVE MILES EAST OF MOULMEIN SAVAGE STRUGGLE IN PHILIPPINES LONDON, January 21. Heavy fighting is reported in north-west Johore and British planes have made a scries of successful attacks on Japanese occupied aerodromes. This morning’s Japanese raid on Singapore cost the enemy at least 13 planes. In Burma fighting is reported 45 miles east of Moulmein. The main fighting in Malaya now appears to be taking place in north-west Johore. A Singapore communique reports that heavy fighting continued throughout yesterday. Enemy aircraft made low-level dive-bombing and machine-gun attacks on our forward troops. Our aircraft were also busy. Our fighters carrying out an offensive sweep intercepted a forma-, ticn of Japanese aircraft, which immediately jettisoned their bombs. One enemy plane was shot down. Tn one area our artillery inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy at point-blank range. On the other coast of Malaya one of our outposts has been withdrawn in the face of superior enemy forces. A number of heavy and successful attacks have been made on enemy-occupied aerodromes in Malaya, direct hits being made on aircraft, buildings and other objectives. At the aerodrome at Kuala Lumpur in direct hits on aircraft, at least three were set on fire. None of our planes are missing. A raid on Singapore this morning cost the enemy at least 13 planes. Nine were shot down by the anti-aircraft defences and four by fighters. Others were damaged. Bombs appeared to be dropped indiscriminately, many falling in residential areas. Details of the damage and casualties are not yet to hand. It is now known that yesterday’s raid was carried out by 90 heavy bombers, escorted by fighters. The casualties were 64 killed and 154 injured. A Rangoon communique reports fighting 45 miles east of Moulmein, the third largest city in Burma. Our forces fought throughout the day. The aerodrome at Kawkareit has been resisting stubbornly. Heavy fighting is still in progress. A formation of bombers, with fighter esport, successfully attacked the aerodrome at Rohaing. All our aircraft returned safely. Our aircraft also reconnoitred enemy territory and cooperated with the army in the battle now in progress. One of our aircraft reported missing yesterday has returned safely. ATTACKS ON NETHERLANDS INDIES More Japanese raids on the Netherlands East Indies are reported. An aerodrome in Borneo was attacked and a port in Sumatra. The Japanese are reported to have occupied the Minahassa territory, in north-eastern Celebes, but have paid dearly for their success. AMERICAN COUNTER-ATTACKS In the Philippines savage fighting is in progress on the Bataan Peninsula. American and Filipipo troops, counterattacking, have driven back the enemy and re-established their line, which at.some points had been penetrated by the Japanese. The enemy losses were heavy. Those of the American and Filipino troops were relatively light. Guerillas'in Northern Luzon made a successful raid on a hostile aerodrome at Tuguegarao. The Japanese were taken completely by surprise and fled in confusion, leaving 110 dead on the field. The American losses were very light.