Evening star., 1942-03-04
United Nations
Forces Continue
Stubborn Fight
BY the Associated Press.

BANDOENG, Java, March A.
The japanese we're acknowl-
edged officially today to have
made some headWay at some
points" on Java, bringing to
bear their numerical superiority
especially in planes-against
an heroic defense which had
held them in check since Sunday.
The enemy inroads indicated no
radical change as yet in the Situ-
alton in which the Dutch and their
allies had shown sufficient power
yesterday to press the invaders back
In one sector.
The communique declared the re-
sistance still was stubborn land in
offensive spirit" but the Dutch
already had carried out the prin-
cipal destruction in Java" to pre-
vent its rich resources from falling
into enemy hands.
No Details on Penetration.
It gave no indication whether the
new Japanese penetrations had been
stopped nor any details either of
their depth or direction.
The war bulletin reported heavy
Dutch aerial blows against the
enemvs air power Serious damage
was inflicted on hangers at Japa-
nese-held airport and "a number OF
gunned," it said.
In a japanese attempt to raid
Bandoeng Monday, the communi-
que said, the enemy lost four bomb
bers and one fighter or bomber and
was 80 heavily punished that he
gave up the attack"
The IL hour raid on this city
yesterday. however, was acknowl-
edged to have caused military as
we'll as civilian damage and to have
set fire to some" grounded Dutch
planes Two japanese bomberS
we're shot down, the communique
added
Local Successes Reported.
Local successes against japanese
forces were reported by British vol
unteers who took part in fighting
at Soebang, 40 miles south of the
Indramaioe beachhead and the
point of deepest japanese penetra-
ton toward Bandoeng.
The volunteers said the japanese
- clnrr-1r NJ half
the village of Soebang when they
left and that Dutch forces were
attempting to recapture the rest of
the town. Infiltrating Japanese
practically without exception" had
been rounded-up and shot, these
volunteers, members of a home
guard unit. reported.
Bandoeng was raided again today
by 25 Japanese planes which swept
over the city at $4,000 to 10000 feet
in groups of nine. nine and seven,
Aneta news agency reported.
Dutch anti-aircraft guns opened
heavy fire and fighter planes went
into action. Bomb explosions could
be heard. mostly in the direction
of the Bandoeng airport. Smoke
puffed up from the direction OF
the field but disappeared within 10
minutes. indicating that the fire
had been extinguished quickly.
japanese planes also were re-
ported active over other parts of
middle Java.
Destruction Thorough.
Aneta reports from Batavia said
explosions so heavy that they shat
tered window panes atteSted to the
thoroughness with which the Dutch
were carrying out their scorched
earth policy in the vicinity of the
Indies capital.
The city, from which the govern
ment has withdrawn to Bandoeng,
was said to have had repeated air.
raid alarms during the past few
days.
Aneta dispatches from the Ban
tam front, where the japanese
gained foothold some so miles west
of Batavia, said that up to Monday
noon the invaders had not come in
contact with the main body of the
defense forces.
The japanese had light tanks in
this sector and one Indonesian
trooper was said to have sacrificed
his life setting off a dynamite
charge under a bridge which the in
vaders armored units were crossing.
Temporarily, at least, and in one
sector. Javas fighting men have
(See JAVA, Page A-5D