SURPRISE THRUSTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 February 1942, Page 4

SURPRISE THRUSTS

BY MACARTHUR’S FORCES IN BATAN GUERILLAS STILL ACTIVE. IN LUZON AND MINDANAO. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, February 26. A Washington communique states:— “In a surprise thrust General MacArthur's troops at Batan attacked sharply all along the line, capturing a number of advanced positions. The attack was particularly successful on the right, where small elements of Japanese troops were forced to withdraw several kilometres. Fighting is still in progress, with continued local successes. The main enemy positions have not been penetrated. “Information reaching General MacArthur from central and northern Luzon indicates that small bodies of American and Philippine troops are continuing to harass the Japanese in guer, ilia fighting, with considerable success. Desultory patrol action is reported from Mindanao, where the invading troops have been reinforced by a detachment of Japanese marines.”

APPALLING LOSSES SUFFERED BY JAPANESE IN JAVA. STATEMENT BY MR STIMSON. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, February 26. The American Secretary for War (Mr Stimson) said the .Japanese had not yet mentioned the extent of their losses in the desperate battle for Java, where the United Nations.were putting up a magnificent fight and inflicting appalling losses. CHINESE TROOPS IN ACTION IN BURMA. DUTCH FORCE GOES TO INDIES FROM BRITAIN. x (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, February 26. Mr- Attlee informed the House of Commons that some of the Chinese troops which had moved into Burma had been in action.' The Dutch authorities in London say it can now be revealed that some time ago contingents of the Netherlands ‘Brigade of Princess Irene, hitherto serving in Britain, departed for the East Indies.