IN THE PACIFIC

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21582, 19 November 1941, Page 6

IN THE PACIFIC

NAVAL UNITS ASSEMBLE 1 ANGLO-AMERICAN FORCES j JAPANESE MOVEMENTS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 19, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18 British and American naval units are assembling in the Pacific, says the Daily Telegraph. This naval movement coincides with heavy Japanese troop movements in Indo-China. The strength of the Japanese garrisons in Indo-China is believed to have jumped from 50,000 five weeks ago to 150,000. The Japanese land and air forces massed in North Indo-China are reported to be moving south and west towards Thailand. The Shanghai correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Japanese are rushing construction work in Camranh Bay. At least a dozen shore batteries have been installed. Hope of Understanding At the conclusion of the conference in Washington between Mr Kurusu, Admiral Nomura, and Mr Cordeil Hull. Admiral Nomura said 1 he was still hopeful of reaching an understanding regarding Japanese- j American difficulties. Admiral Nomura asked pressmen: • “Why are the newspapers so ! gloomy? We arc very hopeful. You 1 Americans are always in a lighting j mood. Why are you so war-mind- i ed?” Mr Hull said he expected to re- I sume the conference tomorrow, but declined to say whether satisfactory progress had been made. He explained that the conversations are still exploratory and had not reached a stage where a basis of general understanding could be discussed. He described the conference as a general consideration rather than particular application. Notice to World The Tokio correspondent of - the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Premier. General Tojo, announced that another extraordinary session of the Diet might be called after the present special session if it was deemed necessary for presenting a united front in the current situation. He spoke to the entire world, not merely to members of the Diet. World attention had bsen closely focussed on the Imperial Diet, therefore the significance of calling an extraordinary session was apparent. “FLYING TANKS” RUSSIA’S NEW PLANES GERMAN ATTACK REPULSED (Untl<>d Tress asm. Elec. Tel. CoDyrlgbt) (Received Nov. 19, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18 The Pravda reports that two attempts by German infantry, supported by tanks, to break through the Soviet defences at the approaches to Rostov were repulsed with heavy losses. The position at Tula considerably improved after a successful Soviet counter-attack. A message from Berlin states that the Russians are using a new plane so strongly armoured that they are called “flying tank” planes. The radiator, cockpit and other vulnerable points are particularly heavily protected. German pilots fired enormous quantities of bullets into the flying tanks without setting them on lire or bringing them down. The plane is designed for lowlevel work and is being used for ground straffing and attacks against aerodromes. FIGHTING IN AFRICA BRITISH FORCE ADVANCES (Official Wireless) (Received Nov. 19. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 13 An East African war communique states: Our column advancing from the Sudan started artillery registration on enemy positions on the escarpment west of Celga, while ground patrols were active in this sector. Kamcnt chiefs are daily joining our troops advancing towards Gondar along the Omager Road. The garrison of Forgora, on Lake Tana, has been called on to surrender.

In other sectors pressure on enemy positions is being maintained. A communique issued from the British General Headquarters at Cairo states: In Libya, at Tobruk, ground visibility improved, due to heavy rain. During the night of November our patrols were active again.

In the frontier area our patrols were particularly active, crossing the frontier at a number of points and penetrating deeply into enemy territory.

MONEY FOR WARSHIPS (Official Wireless) (Received Nov. 19. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 18 Liverpool’s “Warship Week” total today reached £8,400,000 with an investment million by the Blue Funnel Lane. Liverpool had just taken four days to reach the original target of £7,000.000 to meet the cost of H.M.S. Prince of Wales, which the city adopted, and to raise sufficient to pay for a sister ship to the Ark Royal. LONG CONFERENCE (United Tress As«n.— Eiec. Tel. Copyrignt) (Received Nov. 19. 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Nov. 18 Mr Kurusu. special Japanese envoy. and Admiral Nomura, the Japanese Ambassador to Washington, were in conference with Mr Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, for two and three-quarter hours yesterday. This is the longest conference between a Secretary of State and Ambassadors in the history of the Department. No statement would be made by any of the parties after the meeting. but it v/a tated that they would meet again tomorrow.