STILL ADVANCING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 March 1942, Page 3

STILL ADVANCING

JAPANESE INVADERS IN JAVA

IN SPITE OF HEROIC RESISTANCE

ENEMY PROGRESS REPORTED ALSO IN BURMA

CLOSELY THREATENED BATAVIA AND BANDOENG Enemy Also Driving Towards Surabaya DUTCH PLANNING CONCENTRATED DEFENCE DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY TRANSPORTS IN LUZON

LONDON, March 5. The Japanese invaders are still advancing in Java, in spite of heroic resistance by the outnumbered defenders. In Western Java a town about ten miles west of Batavia has been occupied by the enemy. On the railway between Batavia and Bandoeng, two places are now in Japanese hands. Further east the enemy has reached an important road and railway junction near the centre of the island, 140 miles from Surabaya. Another place nearer Surabaya has fallfen into enemy hands. Two Japanese bombers were shot down over Bandoeng this morning. All messages indicate that the morale of the people of Java is high. The Governor-General declared, at an historic meeting of the Netherlands East Indies Parliament, that the defenders would still fight on. It was clear that the attack on the Netherlands East Indies had been long studied and prepared by the Japanese. The fall of Singapore had opened the way to the south and the Netherlands East Indies had been left to meet the enemy practically alone. They must concentrate their strength, as General MacArthur had done, in an area where the troops could resist superior forces. He was confident that final victory would come to the Allies. West of the Sittang River, in Burma, fighting continues north-east of Pegu, 70 miles from Rangoon. The town of Waw was set on fire by six enemy bombers. Planes of the R.A.F. carried out reconnaissance and patrol activities and shot down a Japanese bomber. In Rangoon work is being carried on quietly. The three large Japanese vessels which General MacArthur’s planes destroyed in Sulic Bay have been identified as transports. It is believed that thousands of Japanese troops were drowned or killed when ammunition exploded aboard the ships.