LANDING IN JAVA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 February 1942, Page 4

LANDING IN JAVA

ONCE AGAIN CLAIMED BY AXIS NO CONFIRMATORY NEWS IN LONDON. POSITION IN SUMATRA UNCERTAIN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) RUGBY, February 18. A Japanese landing in Java is again claimed by Axis sources, but again there is no confirmation in authoritative quarters in London. In Sumatra, too, the situation cannot be clarified here, where nothing is known of any change from the position yesterday. AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION BATTLE OVER RABAUL. ENEMY PLANE PROBABLY DESTROYED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) RUGBY, February 18. A Sydney message states that the Australian Air Minister (Mr Drakeford) announced that Hudsons of the Royal Australian Air Force and Japanese fighters fought a battle over Rabaul yesterday. One enemy plane was probably destroyed, while the R.A.A.F. machines continued their reconnaissance without suffering damage or casualties. ENEMY AIR RAIDS LAND FIGHTING CONTINUES IN BORNEO. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 p.m.) RUGBY, February 18. A Batavia communique states: “Japanese bombers attacked Koepang, in Dutch Timor, and its vicinity. Three persons were slightly wounded. At many places in Borneo fighting is still continuing. Fighting in the Minahassa area, in North Celebes, has almost come to an end.” GIGANTIC BLAZE STILL RAGING AT PALEMBANG. FOUR DAYS AFTER BEING LIT. (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) BATAVIA. February 17. Four days after it was lit. the greatest oil fire in history is still raging at Palembang. Dense clouds of smoke rise 25,000 feet over the installations. The glare is visible from points a hundred miles away. The fires are so vast that they have even influenced the weather, causing exceptionally severe thunderstorms.