ATTACKS ON CONVOY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1942, Page 3

ATTACKS ON CONVOY

CONTINUED BY FLYING FORTRESSES Large Transport Sunk HEAVY DEATH ROLL LIKELY FROM EARLIER SINKINGS LONDON, January 28. The latest attack on the Japanese armada in the Straits of Macassar was made by American Flying’ Fortresses, which scored a direct hit on a cruiser, sunk a large enemy transport and set another on fire. Two Japanese fighters were also destroyed. One American plane did not get back. It is believed that at least 25,000 Japanese soldiers and sailors have perished during the Allied battering of the giant Japanese convoy trapped in the Straits of Macassar. The enemy ships sunk or damaged total 34, including an aircraft-carrier and a battleship. 1 American opinion is that the Japanese have suffered such a heavy defeat that they may have to revise their whole offensive strategy in the south-west Pacific. The hundred-ship convoy is understood to include 30 troopships. Breaking a five I day silence, Tokio official radio now mentions the battle for the- first time with an admission that four Japanese transports were lost last Friday in landing operations at Balik Papan. FIGHTING CONTINUES No Material Change in Malaya EVACUATION OF COASTAL STRIP ON SINGAPORE ISLAND LONDON, January 28. In Malaya there is no material change on the main battle line On the east coast there are no reports of further Japanese landings in the Endau region. Fighting is still going on about 60 miles north of the Singapore causeway. . On the west coast heavy fighting is proceeding 55 miles from the crossing to Singapore Island. Another enemy raid was made on Singapore this morning. The damage and casualties are reported to be slight. The evacuation of a mile-wide coastal strip on the north of Singapore Island must be completed by Friday. British planes raided an enemy-occupied aerodrome on the east coast. All the planes returned after making a low-level attack Netherlands bombers again bombed a Japanese base in Sarawak. Japanese raids on Netherlands territory did little damage except at one port, where three merchantmen were damaged. The situation in the south-east of Celebes is obscure, pie Japanese are still meeting with strong resistance in one region. HEAVY RAID ON BANGKOK Japanese Fighters Roughly Handled Over Rangoon ONE-THIRD OF FORCE DESTROYED LONDON, January 28. Bangkok has again been raided by the R.A.F. A Rangoon communique states that for the second time in four days the R.A.F. attacked targets in the city. Large fires were left burning. The attack was heavy and successful. A message from an agency correspondent in Rangoon describes how a Japanese air formation which attempted to raid Rangoon this morning was roughly handled. Out of the forty enemy fighters which took part about one-third were destroyed. It is reported that American pilots played a big part in the encounter. Six fighters were destroyed for certain, six more x probably destroyed and nine damaged. On the land front the situation is unchanged in the Tenasserim area. Contact has been made with the enemy advance . forces in one district.