AUSTRALIA AS BASE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1942, Page 3

AUSTRALIA AS BASE

WAR COUNCIL DECISION I CLOSE CO-OPERATION. NEW ZEALAND SUPPORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, March 1. The War Council yesterday decided on important changes in the Allied strategy in the Pacific war. The changes, the details of which must remain secret, mean that Australia has become the United Nations’ main Pacific base. Representatives of New Zealand and other United Nations participated in the War Council discussions. It is expected that the discussions will result in even closer consultation and co-operation between Australia and New Zealand. The Dominion’s representatives, though disagreeing with the Commonwealth on some minor details, were in complete agreement that a united front must be built up against Japan in the southern Pacific. NORTHERN TERRITORY UNDER MILITARY CONTROL. CANBERRA, February 28. The Australian Army Minister, Mr Forde, announced today that all the Northen Territory had now been placed under military control. AMERICAN REPORT BATTLE IN JAVA SEA. SUPERIOR ENEMY FORCE ENGAGED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 28. A communique issued in 'Washington this afternoon states: “A major naval action occurred yesterday in which combined Dutch, British, Australian and United States forces engaged a superior force of Japanese combatant ships convoying 40 transports, which was attempting to land on the north coast of Java. “The fragmentary reports hitherto received indicate that the participating United States naval forces consisted of one heavy cruiser and five destroyers.” POSITION CRITICAL AMERICANS LEAVING BATAVIA. WASHINGTON, February 28. The State Department announced that the United States Consulate at Batavia has already been closed, and the staff has left for an undisclosed destination. Officials pointed out that such action is indicative of the extremely critical situation of Java. A message from Bandoeng says the American Consulate there is burning its files preparatory to leaving, and also that the British and American correspondents have been advised to leave. AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN ACTIVE IN NEW GUINEA AREA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) < RUGBY. March 1. An Australian air communique states: —“Sixteen Japanese bombers and fighters attacked Port Moresby yesterday and caused some damage. One Japanese fighter was destroyed. “R.A.A.F. reconnaissance planes attempted to attack an enemy convoy off Koepang, but were intercepted by enemy fighters. All the reconnaissance planes returned safely. “The R.A.A.F. last night successfully bombed the runway at Gasmata Aerodrome, in New Britain. All our planes returned.” PUSHING NORTH JAPANESE IN SUMATRA. STUBBORN RESISTANCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) RUGBY, March 1. It is reported from Batavia that the enemy has infiltrated from Palembang in a northerly direction and is meeting stubborn resistance on the part of our troops, who are inflicting heavy losses in Middle Sumatra. BURMA FIGHTING SURVEY OF RECENT DAYS. ENEMY AIRCRAFT LOSSES HEAVY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) RUGBY, March 1. A Rangoon communique, giving the position up to Friday, said: ‘On February 25, more of our troops have crossed the Sittang River and are reorganising after fierce fighting. A military government has been imposed in Rangoon and a curfew put into operation. Up to February 27, no further contact had been made with the enemy. Reports indicate that he is attempting to work northward. Enemy troops employed in the fighting on the Sittang River were picked men of excellent physique. “In raids over Rangoon on February 26, the enemy lost 22 aircraft. Our loss was one aircraft. During raids over the period February 25 and 26, the total enemy losses were 51 aircraft to our two..” _____