PALEMBANG ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 February 1942, Page 4

PALEMBANG ATTACK

DEFENDERS DEAL PROMPTLY WITH PARACHUTISTS large-scale enemy LANDINGS. FIGHTING IN OUTER ISLANDS. , (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, February 15. The following communique was issued today by the headquarters of the Netherlands East Indies forces at Batavia:—“The Japanese on Saturday morning launched an attack over Palembang, dropping large numbers of parachutists. Ohe Japanese bomber was shot down by fire from three different points. Several hundreds of parachutists were dropped, according to a very rough estimate. They were armed with tommy-guns, light mortars and other weapons. The attacks were clearly directed against oil refineries, but the enemy did not succeed in capturing them. Our troops did a good job and made short work of the invaders. Towards evening two points of attack were cleared of parachutists, while on the third point we had the situation fully in hand, with only some tens of the enemy still alive. “In connection with large-scale landings, actions were expected in the course of this morning, and while this communique was being issued were in full swing. “We proceeded, in the course of last night, to carry out a thorough destruction of all vital points in the vicinity of Palembang. “Bombers of the Netherlands Indies Army this morning scored direct hits on three Japanese transport ships near Muntok, on Banka Island. “As has been reported previously from South Celebes, fighting there is continuing, especially in the vicinity of Macassar. Resistance is being maintained with great stubbornness; “The Anambas Islands, east of Lam- >

maya, have been occupied by the Japanese. “Slight enemy air activity is reported in various places in the outer provinces.” Palembang is the largest oil centre in the Dutch. East Indies, producing over half their total oil output.