BIG ALLIED CONVOY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1942, Page 3

BIG ALLIED CONVOY

SAFE ARRIVAL IN FAR EAST JAPAN’S DESPERATE RACE AGAINST TIME. VITAL ISSUES AT STAKE AT SINGAPORE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 2. “On this black day, one ray of cheer is the news that a large Allied convoy has arrived safely in the Far East,” says Major George Fielding Eliot, commenting in the New York “Herald Tribune” on the British withdrawal to Singapore Island. Major Eliot adds: “Many more convoys are on the way. Either the tide will turn within the next few weeks or it may not turn for years.” The London “Times” correspondent at Singapore says that Japan’s momentous decision to fight the democracies may be accounted the greatest gamble in history. Japan staked everything on a quick success, and when she launches the forthcoming attack on Singapore may be depended on to throw everything into the battle. “Japan is running a desperate race against time,” says the newspaper. ‘Every day that Singapore stands is another day lost to the enemy and another day gained to the democracies. It is doubtful if Japan’s aeroplane production is commensurate with the country’s present losses.” The Chinese Press, states a message from Chungking, is generally pessimistic about Britain’s ability to hold Singapore, but the army organ “Sao Tang Pao” said that the fortress could be defended if reinforcements were rushed to the outer ring of islands. It predicted that the Japanese would try to surround Singapore rather than attack it frontally. The Communist “New China Daily” urged the Chinese to carry on the war against the Japanese even if the Burma Road is cut, and also regardless of any Tokio peace offensive designed to release Japanese troops from China for use in the South Pacific. “Singapore may be lost; the .Burma Road may be cut; but even then our difficulties will be no more acute than in 1940, when the British closed the Burma Road for three months,” it says. FOOD FOR PRISONERS RED CROSS SHIPMENT TO JAPAN. NEW YORK, February 2. Chungking reports that it is revealed by smuggled letters received from Hankow, Peiping and Tientsin that the Japanese have interned virtually all the British and Americans there. The Japanese have not mistreated them, but they are unable to obtain adequate food and clothing. The Red Cross in New York announced that as soon as arrangements were completed it would send a shipload of food from Australia to Japan for the American and other war prisoners there. STAVING AT POSTS NETHERLANDS OFFICIALS. IN ENEMY-OCCUPIED AREAS. BATAVIA, February 2. The Governor-General of the Netherlands East Indies today indicated that the Dutch officials in the enemy-occu-pied areas had not deserted their posts, and that the Government expected them to stay with their native charges. He emphasised that the Government was conscious of the exceptionally hard task which was demanded of these servants in the occupied and threatened territory, but it knew that there was a bond of helpfulness and trust which would not be broken. ENEMY AIR RAID MADE ON PORT MORESBY. NEAREST POINT TO AUSTRALIA YET ATTACKED. (By Telegraph—Press Association— CANBERRA, February 3. Japanese bombers raided Port Moresby, the capital of Papua (New Guinea) early today, stated the M inister of the Army, Mr Forde. It was later revealed that six enemy planes participated in the raid. One person was killed and two were injured. Eight bombs were dropped, apparently directed at the aerodromes and installations. The Minister of Air, Mr Drakeford, said no information had been received as to whether damage was done at the aerodromes. Port Moresby is 330 miles from Australia, and this is the nearest of any air raids to this country. Japanese planes have made reconnaissance flights over the Solomon Islands. IA communique last night said they dropped bombs, but without causing damage or casualties. DUTCH INTERNEES REMOVED FROM EAST INDIES, (Received This Day. 10 a.m.) LONDON, February 3. A Batavia message says the Government has removed a certain number of Dutch National Socialists, interned at Ngawi on Java, to a place somewhere outside the Netherlands East Indies. LUZON FIGHTING SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN COUNTER-ATTACK. THREE LINES OF TRENCHES CAPTURED. (Received Th ; s Day, 10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 3. A communique states that, in their midnight landing attempt at Batan, the Japanese suffered heavy casualties in men and boats.' On the following morning a number of disabled barges were found along the beaches. Some were burning and others were adrift. None of the invaders reached the shore. “Ground operations on the left flank were of a minor nature,” the communique adds. “Some enemy pockets were found and isolated groups of Japanese were mopped up. On our right, where General Nara’s Sixty-fifth Division previously attempted a frontal attack to drive in a wedge, we made a successful counter-attack and our troops overran three lines of enemy trenches, capturing considerable equipment. BrigadierGeneral Clinton Pierce was wounded in recent fighting.”