ENEMY HELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 March 1942, Page 3

ENEMY HELD

DUTCH OFFICIAL REPORT TROOPS IN CLOSE CONTACT. JAPANESE SHIPS BOMBED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.53 a.m.) RUGBY, March 3. A Dutch communique states: “In none of the three regions in Java where the enemy landed troops from Saturday night to Sunday has the enemy succeeded in advancing since the infiltration, which was carried out on Sunday. At various points our troops, who are showing a splendid offensive spirit, are in close contact with the enemy. “During the attack the enemy occupied an airfield and some ten Navy fighters, which were about to take off, were machine-gunned and put out of action, including their crews. “Our bombers scored direct hits on two Japanese transports. The ships respectively of 10,000 and 8,000 tons, lying off the coast of Java. Furthermore, a bomb exploded among three seaplanes, which were taking off and two of theme were destroyed. “A Dutch submarine sank a large enemy tanker off the coast of Java.” INVADING TROOPS PUSHED BACK IN ONE SECTOR. LACK OF REPORTS FROM CENTRAL JAVA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 3. The United Press Bandoeng correspondent says the Japanese have been pushed back at least seven miles in one sector, but concern is felt at the lack of reports from Central Java. The Japanese are using fire-bombs and flame-throwers. FOURTH LANDING MADE BY JAPANESE IN JAVA. LONDON, March 3. A Dutch spokesman said the Japanese were trying to cut Java into two parts by driving south where the mountains are lowest. He revealed for the first time a fourth Japanese landing. This is 60 miles east of Rembang and appears to be directed at Surabaya, the naval base. AMERICAN TROOPS PRESUMABLY ALREADY , IN NEW CALEDONIA. VALUABLE NICKEL DEPOSITS. NEW YORK, March 3. Commenting on the State Department’s announcement that the United States recognises the Free French control of the French Pacific possessions, the “New York Times” declares that United States troops are presumably already in New Caledonia, guarding the rich nickel deposits there which are important to the United States and would be most valuable to the Japanese. VARIOUS POINTS IN THE PHILIPPINES. ATTACKED BY JAPANESE NAVY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.28 a.m.) RUGBY, March 3. Points attacked in the Philippines by Japanese naval units include Cebu city and Argao in the island of Cebu, north of Mindanao, Tolong, Dumaguete and Marica Bond, in the island of Negros.