HEAVY LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 January 1942, Page 3

HEAVY LOSSES

INFLICTED ON JAPANESE CONVOY IN MACASSAR STRAIT SMASHING ALLIED AIR & NAVAL ATTACKS LAND FIGHTING IN PACIFIC AREAS

BLOWS DRIVEN HOME THREE ENEMY SHIPS SUNK FOR CERTAIN Four More Probably Share Same Fate AT LEAST ANOTHER TWELVE DAMAGED AMERICAN FLYING FORTRESSES IN ACTION LONDON, January 25. Heavy losses were suffered by a Japanese convoy trying to squeeze its way through the Macassar Strait, between Borneo and Celebes, when the convoy was attacked by Dutch and American planes and American warships. The attack is described in the first communique issued from General Wavell’s South-western Pacific headquarters. During the past 48 hours the attacking forces have sunk three Japanese ships for certain, with four more probably sunk and not fewer than 12 have been damaged. Five enemy fighters attempting to attack American Flying Fortress bombers were destroyed without Allied loss. Dutch fighters also shot down three enemy aircraft and ground defences brought down two more. In a fresh attack on the convoy today Dutch bombers scored direct hits on two cruisers and one transport. Japanese attacks have been made on south-eastern Celebes and on Balik Papar, the oil port on the west coast of Borneo. The Dutch are keeping up a strong resistance. REINFORCEMENTS IN BURMA A Rangoon message reports that Chinese reinforcements, which have been pouring into Burma during the last few weeks, are still flowing in. In land fighting our troops have inflicted such heavy punishment on the enemy that they were able to take up new positions unhindered. Mention is made of the success of demolition work. Dutch planes for the third day in succession raided the enemy-occupied aerodrome at Kuching, in Sarawak. MAGNIFICENT FIGHT Put Up By Australians Near Rabaul In New Britain, the Australian militia and the Australian Imperial Force are fighting side by side against the Japanese invaders. The Australians are holding positions across the western end of the Rabaul Peninsula, and are putting up a magnificent fight. Lae, on the east coast of New Guinea, was dive-bombed and machine-gunned by Japanese planes on Thursday. The evacuation of the town has been completed. THE STRUGGLE IN MALAYA In Malaya the Japanese are keeping up their heavy pressure on our forces and are attacking constantly from the air. A Singapore communique states that our troops have maintained their positions. Our planes heavily attacked enemy objectives in Northern Johore. Several tons of bombs were dropped on railway lines and a bridge was wrecked. Our fighters, without loss to themselves, drove off forces of enemy bombers over Johore. One enemy plane was probably destroyed and three others damaged. PHILIPPINES DEFENCE Successful Counter-Attack by MacArthur’s Forces General MacArthur’s forces have scored a smashing success in a heavy counter-attack against the enemy on the extreme right of the defensive line in the Bataan Peninsula, west of Manila. A Washington communique states that for two days the Japanese launched heavy attacks, supported by bombers and naval vessels. The defending troops were driven back, with considerable losses. Then General MacArthur launched a coun-ter-attack, supported by artillery. American and Filipino troops charged and the Japanese fled from their positions, leaving hundreds of dead on the battlefield and large quantities of supplies and equipment. Fresh enemy attacks may be expected. MERCHANT SHIPS SUNK In the Bay of Bengal Two merchant ships have been sunk by enemy activity in the Bay of Bengal. Survivors have been landed in Burma. CHINESE AGAIN ATTACK HANOI Chinese planes have made another daylight raid on the Japanese air base at Hanoi. Seventy Chinese bombers and fighters took part and dropped 200 bombs on the aerodrome and other military targets. All the planes returned.