UNYIELDING DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1942, Page 3

UNYIELDING DEFENCE

WITHOUT THOUGHT OF RETREAT Japanese Continue to Scatter Bombs ANOTHER ENEMY ATTACK IN PHILIPPINES BEATEN OFF AUSTRALIAN PLANES BOMB SHIPS AT RABAUL LONDON, February 4. General Sir Archibald Wavell, in an order of the day, has urged on all ranks in Singapore the necessity of stopping the Japanese so as to gain time for the great reinforcements which • Britain and America are sending to the Eastern theatre. General Wavell said they were in a similar position to the original British Expeditionary Force, which stopped the Germans at the first battle of Ypres and saved Europe. The Singapore forces must save Asia, without thought of retreat and should make the defence of Singapore as memorable and successful as the defence of Tobruk. The Japanese are still refraining from attacking Singapore from the mainland, but continue to scatter bombs over the residential parts of the city. Early this morning an air attack was made on the coast of the island. Fires were started. Eighteen bombers dropped high explosive and incendiary bombs on the city. There is no general change in the situation. Our artillery has been shelling enemy transport across the Johore Strait. RAIDS ON RANGOON Two more raids were made on Rangoon last night. In one an aerodrome on the outskirts of the city was attacked without causing damage or casualties. Another raid on Rangoon later caused slight damage and no casualties. The third Japanese attack in three days on General MacArthur’s forces in the Philippines has been beaten off. The attack was not so heavy as those on the preceding day. AIR BATTLES OVER JAVA Yesterday’s raids on Surabaya and aerodromes in Java were made by between 70 and 80 bombers, with fighter escort. The raid on Surabaya lasted 2j hours. Thirty-one people were killed and 139 injured. The Japanese lost eight fighters and two bombers. The losses of the defences were very considerable. There is a continuance of bitter fighting at Amboina and fighting continues at Balik Papan. It is believed the raids by the Japanese planes on Java may be preliminary to an attack by land forces. The fighters are believed to have come from an aircraft carrier. i Australian aircraft last night attacked enemy shipping at Rabaul. A large enemy vessel received a direct hit and another . ship was narrowly missed by a stick of bombs.