FURTHER SUCCESS BY AMERICAN BOMBERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1942, Page 3

FURTHER SUCCESS BY AMERICAN BOMBERS

Another Enemy Transport Sunk INITIATIVE PASSING TO THE ALLIES JAPANESE INVASION FLEET HEADING FOR JAVA LONDON, January 29. The great battle in the Strait of Macassar is still going on. The latest Allied attack was carried out by heavy American bombers, which made their third attack on the enemy ships. One enemy transport was sunk in the harbour at Balik Papan and another set on fire. Two enemy fighters were wiped out and a third damaged. All the American planes returned safely. The importance of the Battle of Macassar Strait was referred to by Mr Forde, Australian Army Minister, who said he was confident the initiative was passing to the Allies in the south-west Pacific. This battle was the first real check the Japanese had received. “The battle of Macassar Strait is now emerging as the greatest sea action since Jutland,’’ wrote the “Daily Mail’s’’ special correspondent in Batavia yesterday. “It is still raging today, and it will not be won till the entire enemy armada is wiped out or the 1 survivors are forced to turn back. “The great convoy of 100 ships was intent on making a full-scale invasion of Java—the heart of the Allied organisa- , tion in the south-west Pacific. Twenty-eight ships have already been destroyed or damaged, but it is estimated that nearly 70 are afloat, carrying 150,000 troops with full equipment. “The threat to Java, though reduced, is still very real. The armada is now split into three groups, and the Allies are facing a major problem of keeping each accurately placed so that the attack can be maintained. “Continuous Japanese bombing of the Allied airfields in south-east Borneo and north-west Celebes, from which the reconnaissance planes must operate is hampering our operations. “If the armada is destroyed or forced to turn back, at least a month will have been gained toward the vital three months which, it is estimated, is necessary 'for the concentration of sufficient Allied forces. “The Japanese, unimpeded, could have made the passage of the strait; in 33 hours, and the fact that the battle is in its sixth day indicates the weight of the blows the Japanese are suffering.”