The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-02-26
Flying Fortresses Are
 Furnishing Japanese
tContinued from Page D

fighting forces in Borneo advised the high command that he would continue to fight.
 The communique. issued through the Netherlands Indies news agency, reported that the Dutch troops were fighting fiercely still in Celebes.
 It said it might be assumed that the Japanese were now in posses sion of Bangka Island off Palem- bang, on the east coast of Sumatra.
 Two Japanese bombing planes and two fighters were shot down by Dutch aviators during fierce Japa- nese attacks on Java objectives, the communique said. The Dutch lost two fighters planes. The pilot of one landed safe.
 Japs Make Attack
 Japanese planes attacked the Soerabaja naval base and airdromes in west Java, the comunique re- ported. The Soerabaja raid was a heavy one and resulted in the killing of seven civilians and the wounding seriously of 19, but the communique said little material damage was re- ported.
 It was understood that Allied war craft by their slashing attacks on Japanese invasion fleets and planes had permitted restoration of con- munication with Australia.
 Spokesmen, fearing that Java was isolated because of enemy occupa- tion of Bali and Timor had said that normal communication with Australia had been servered.
 Today, however, it was asserted on good authority that communication with Australia, and thus with the United States by the Trans-Pacific route, was functioning normally and it was indicated that the work of Dutch and American planes and warships was responsible.
 Authoritative informants said, however, that the situation contin- ued urgent, with a direct Japanese attack on Java expeced at any time, and that it was virtually necessary that the Netherlands Indies receive major endorsements for the critical battle of the campaign in this area.
 Stimson Praises Them
 Washington, Feb. 26-(UP)--Sec- retary of War Henry L. Stimson asserted today that United Nations forces are staging magnificent fight" in defense of Java and are inflicting appalling loss" of life on the Japanese.
 Stimson made the statement at a press conference in response to questions regarding the outcome of the fight for the possession of the Dutch East Indies. He revealed that Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell, Supreme Commander of the United Forces in the Southwest Pacific had suffered a broken rib in an airplane as 1t was leaving Singapore just before the big British base fell.
 There is a magnificent fight be- ing put up there with heavy losses being inflicted on the Japanese navy and troop ships" Stimson said.
 "Trhere must have been an ap- palling loss of life although the Japanese have not yet said one word about it in their communi- ques."
 The valor of the Dutch and American air forces was paid great tribute yesterday by Wave1l. Stimson said, then revealing that the com- mander had been injured.
 He said that Wavell landed at Singapore, during it's last 36 hours of existence under British rule. amid hail of artillery fire. He said that the accident occurred when Wavells plane was taking off from the field under fire which apparently dam- aged it.
 "The commander of the United Forces has shown himself worthy of the character of the men he commands" Stimson said. "He has visited all fronts, even at great personal risks"
 Stimson said that he was also able o reveal for the first time that Wavell had personally cabled MacArthur at the outset of the Ba- taan Peninsula campaign, offering to rush to his aid personally, even at great risk to himself.
 Macarthur rejected the offer, Stimson continued, because he felt that Wavelrs life was "too precious" to jeopardize.
 Turning to the discussion of the progress of the Java campaign, Stinson said that it was desparate battle that reflected great credit