TROOPS IN SINGAPORE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1942, Page 3

TROOPS IN SINGAPORE

MR FORDE’S BROADCAST ASSURANCE OF UNSTINTED SUPPORT. FLOOD OF BIG MOVEMENTS UNDER WAY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, February 3. In a broadcast to the Allied forces in Singapore, the Australian Army Minister, Mr Forde, says:—“You are now approaching the climax of the Battle for Singapore, under conditions perhaps having no parallel in history. As you go into action for this most searching test, I want this message to reach you and bring with it the neverending pride and respect of all your countrymen. I want you to accept it as a binding promise of the utmost support. Each day Singapore is denied to the enemy represents a further gain which cannot be overestimated. We have done everything in our power to ensure the greatest degree of help which can be sent. It will reach you with all possible speed. It will come as a stream, swelling to a flood of big movements which are under’ way. We shall be unceasing in our efforts to back you to the limit.” AIR WARFARE SOME DETAILS OF ATTACK ON SURABAYA. RATHER CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DONE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, February 3. A Pacific communique states: “During the past few days Allied aircraft, carrying out reconnaissance on enemy shipping in the Macassar Straits, have shot down a total of nine enemy airj craft for the loss of one of our own. ! Yesterday United States aircraft twice attacked an enemy convoy off Balik Papan. Two transports were definitely sunk and one probably sunk. In another part of this area Dutch aircraft shot down a hostile machine.. In addition to these special operations, normal attacks on enemy aerodromes and bases have been carried out, with satisfactory results, over the area between Malaya and East Celebes.” Another Java communique states: “Enemy air activity has continued uninterruptedly. This morning 26 Japanese bombers, accompanied by many fighters, attacked aerodromes at Surabaya, Malang and Madioen and the village of Magetan. Rather considerable damage to material was inflicted and some persons were seriously wounded. Rembang has been bombed and machine-gunned. Two persons were killed, three seriously wounded and eight slightly wounded. Various other places were also bombed by enemy planes, operating independently, without much success. In an attack on a small island twelve civilians were killed, five seriously wounded and ten slightly wounded. Guerilla warfare at Minahassa continues and local successes are being reported in which many of the enemy have been killed.”

A supplementary communique states: “During the attack on Surabaya some damage was inflicted upon, naval establishments and on a few aircraft lying on the water.” _____