GALLANT EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 January 1942, Page 3

GALLANT EFFORT

MADE BY ISOLATED TROOPS IN MALAYA TWO A.I.F. BATTALIONS. PROPORTION BREAK OUT OF TRAP. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) SINGAPORE, January 25. Cut off from the main body of the army since early on January 19, two A.I.F. battalions 8 and some Indian troops, supported by artillery and some anti-tank units, are slowly rejoining their units, says the Australian official war correspondent. On January 22 these men ceased to struggle as an organised force. They were then worn out, had little foo'd or ammunition, and were up against hopeless odds, and the order was given: “Every man for himself. Get back through the jungle.” For more than 100 hours they had fought the Japanese from the front, sides and rear. Many more, it is hoped, will return, but the sacrifice has been heavy. The story starts on January 18, with the knock-out of 10 Japanese tanks. The Australians had been rushed to the area to strengthen the resistance, and they went into action immediately. All that day and night sporadic fighting went on, but the Japanese had come in behind them. On January 19 the Japanese pushed their attack with complete disregard for casualties, and in the evening the order came to withdraw. The Japanese behind were in considerable force, and they machine-gunned members of the A.I.F. as they tried to clear the road of blockages. Carriers tried to break through, but the Japanese were too strong. Members of the A.I.F. sought permission from the Japanese to send wounded through, but this was refused unless the whole force surrendered, and this offer was declined. All January 20 and 21 the members of the A.I.F. fought their way back. On January 22 they made a concerted attack on the Japanese position but were beaten off, and the final order was given, “Every man for himself.” They then had fought their way back 15 miles and were only seven miles from a British force which had been vainly trying to break through to reach them. While they were cut off the only communications the A.I.F. units had with their headquarters was maintained by three gallant signallers operating a field wireless set, but early on January 22 the set was destroyed by a bomb and one signaller was killed. The other two have returned to headquarters.