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EFFORT THAT FAILED

JAPANESE SHOCK TROOPS WIPED OUT Described by General MacArthur ENEMY ACTIVITY IN SOUTH JOHORE SALWEEN LINE HELD FIRMLY ON BURMA FRONT LONDON, February 2. In a vivid message, General MacArthur describes the eccentricities of the Japanese attacks during the previous 24 hours on the right and left flanks of his forces in the Bataan Peninsula. All the attacks were repulsed, with heavy Japanese losses. A Washington communique states that the attacks were launched on the east and west sectors by the 16th and 65th Japanese Divisions. The assaults were co-ordinated and timed to take place simultaneously. A thrust was made on the west coast on what was mistakenly thought to be the flank and rear of the American forces. The Japanese used picked troops and a captured aerial document showed the urgent character of the operations. In savage fighting the Japanese were thrown back to the sea. Those who attempted to escape by sea were, drowned and others were destroyed or captured. In the eastern sector the enemy attack was stopped by artillery fire, the Japanese suffering heavy losses. The Japanese shock troops have now been entirely destroyed. A tribute to the courage of the Japanese troops is paid by General MacArthur, who states that at the end, however, they were glad to surrender. The third day of the siege of Singapore has passed without any major developments but the lull is not expected to last long. Aerial reconnaissance showed considerable enemy movement in the south of Johore. There has been increased Japanese aerial activity during the past 24 hours. (Some damage was done, but the military casualties were slight. Several stragglers from the British main forces, left behind after the causeway was breached, have rejoined th'eir units. Two Australians got back by swimming the strait. There is now reason for optimism, says the “Singapore Times,’’ as for the first time since the war began our troops have a clearly defined perimeter to defend. In Burma, Allied bombers attacked Japanese troops on an island in the Salween River. All the planes returned safely. The Japanese so far have been prevented from crossing the river. AIR VICTORY IN BURMA Mr Churchill has sent a message to the Governor of Burma paying a tribute to the brilliant victory of British and American airmen and comparing it with that won in the Battle of Britain. . A Batavia communique states that it may be assumed, from various reports, that the Japanese have occupied Pontianak, the capital of Dutch Borneo. Dutch forces had previously destroyed everything in the district. A deep impression has been made in Batavia by the news of the American air and naval attack on Japanese bases in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. ASSISTANCE FOR CHINA China is to receive from Britain all the munitions and military equipment which can possibly be sent and is also to be given loans from Britain and the United States. Munitions and military equipment will be sent under a lease-lend agreement. Britain’s loan for war purposes will be £50,000,000, on terms to be agreed upon. The American loan is to be of 500,000,000 dollars.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAITA19420203.2.19.1

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1942, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
521

EFFORT THAT FAILED Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1942, Page 3

EFFORT THAT FAILED Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1942, Page 3

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