MASSES OF MEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1942, Page 3

MASSES OF MEN

THROWN INTO BURMA BY JAPANESE HUNDREDS WIPED OUT BY ALLIED PLANES. DETERMINED ENEMY EFFORT IN TIMOR. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 25. A message from Mandalay last night said the Japanese are pouring enormous numbers of troops into south Burma in an effort to reach a decision before British reinforcements arrive. Allied airmen, who have bombed the Japanese between the Bilin and Sittang Rivers, stated that the roads were black with the Japanese, hundreds of whom were wiped out. The main enemy activity in the Pacific reported this morning has been directed toward Australia. A strong Japanese naval force was sighted yesterday near Dilli in Timor. Japanese transports are already in the harbour itself, and Dilli is reported to be on fire. A number of parachute troops have also landed at Koepang. This was revealed today in Canberra by the Australian Air Minister, _Mr Drakeford, who said he had received a report from the Netherlands Indies headquarters that the Dutch and Australian troops were still offering resistance at Timor.

It was clear, Mr Drakeford said, that the Japanese were making determined efforts to gain control of Timor, which could then be used by the enemy as a naval base for attacks on Australia as well as to harass the sea routes between Australia and Java.