Evening star., 1942-01-26
Malaga
Continued From First PageD

where intermittent artillery fire was
said to be holding the invaders to
the north bank of the Mersing
River, IS miles from Singapore.
The communicate added that early
this morning japanese convoy
consisting of two merchant ships
and several warShips was sighted
off Endau, on the east coast Of the
peninsula IS miles from here.
Endau previously had been reported
evacuated by the British.
1t was not Immediately clear
whether the appearance Of the con-
voy indicated an attempt by the
japanese to turn the British flank
by landing behind the lines.
The communique said Sikh bat
talon had inflicted at least 400 cas-
ualties on the Japanese In heavy
fighting Saturday at Kluang. on the
central front so miles from Singa-
pore. Sikh casualties were said to
be light.
The same battalion also ambused
and routed about 200 japanese
cyclists yesterday. killing about so.
the bulletin declared.
Planes Attack Jap Positions.
British aircraft, which have been
reported lending increasing support
to the ground forces, carried out
number of attacks on Japanese posi-
tions during the night, headquarters
said.
Severe damage was reported done
to military objectives at Batu Pahat
and to the airdrome at Kuala Lum-
pur in Central Malaya.
Attacks also were made. the COM
munique said, on shipping at the
mouth OF the Muar River some 80
miles northwest Of Singapore, where
one 600-ton vessel was left listing
and fires were started among docks.
All British planes were said to
have returned safely from these
raids and from attacks on Japanese
columns moving along roads in the
Muar and Batu Pahat sectors.
Vessels Machine Gunned.
The communique reported vessels
of Psialu. an island at the mouth
of the Batu Pahat River. were ma
chine gunned and damaged. A
transport on the roads between
Muar and Parit Java, II miles south
of Muar, was machine gunned.
The Japanese reported yester-
dav theV had pantlIrad MorSinu
and Parit Sulong, near Batu
Pahat. taking 5000 prisoners and
killing 800 British troopsJ
Dispatches from the battle zone
indicated that British and Australian
guerrillas. adapting the japanese
infiltration tactics to their own ends.
were becoming increasingly active
behind the enemy lines.
While there was no inclination
here to minimize the seriousness of
the situation. British officers de-
clared some nasty surprises" were
in store for the japanese.
Jap Drive Slowed Up.
Two Australian battalions and
few Indian troops who were cut OH
a week ago while holding the vital
Muar- Yong Peng road on the left
flank Of the front some 81 miles
north OF Singapore were credited
officially with a major part in slow
ing up the japanese drive.
Military circles said that had the
Australians failed to hold. the jap
anese might easily have turned the
campaign into an utter rout..
Surrounded. battling against
heavy odds. and dependent on sup
plies dropped from the air, the lost"
battalions delayed the japanese ad-
vance from Sunday to Thursday,
when remnants began trying to
fight their way back to their own
lines in small parties.
Survivors still were struggling in
from the jungle today to be greeted
as heroes by their mates.
Meanwhile, in order to combat
japanese infiltration tactics. 1t was
disclosed that the entire Asiatic pop
ula ton had been removed from the
forward area along the east coast.
1t was recalled that previously the
Japanese had been able to effect
advances by Disgusting their patrols
aS natives