Evening star., 1942-03-01


morning hours by additional
landings at Rembang, on the
north central coast, 80 miles west
of the great Soerabaja naval
base, and at Indramaju Bay, W
miles east of Batavia.
The Indramaju region is only oo
miles northeast of Bandoeng, mead
quarters of the Netherlands Indies
ARMY. Batavia itself was f1anked
by the landing there and in North
western Bantam.
The size of the invading forces
was not Immediately disclosed. An
oficial Dutch statement SAID OF tne
landing in the vicinity OF Rembang
that "a strong fleet" put the Japa-
nese ashore "on an extensive front"
Engaged by Allied Units.
Invading ships off Bantam were
engaged by Allied warships, includ-
ing American, which had sent the
Japanese feet reeling back north
ward in their initial running clash
Friday.
On Java itself many thousands OF
American, British and Australian
land troops stood side by side with
their Dutch Allies to defend the
vital island.
Two other sections of the landing
feet were attacked overnight BY
Allied aircraft, and it was announced
officially that losses were inflicted
on the enemy.
These bombing attacks are still
proceeding" the official announce
ment added.
The Dutch announcement today
said news was lacking Immediately
on the results of the naval battle of
Bantam.
Announcement of Landings.
The official announcement of the
landings follows:
During last night the enemy
started his attack on Java.
Enemy troops have landed in the
northwestern part of the province
of Bantam and in the Bay OF
Indramaju, while furthermore a
strong feet started landings early
this morning on an extensive front
along the coast about 80 kilometers
east of Rembang.
THE landing at Bantam was
opposed by Allied forces. No news
is available so far concerning this
naval engagement.
TWO other landing fleets have
been attacked during the night by
our air force and losses have been
inflicted on the enemy.
These bombing attacks are still
proceeding.
LAS soon as further details are
available they will be released for
publication at once"
First Attempt Beaten of.
The combined striking force OF
the United Nations Southwest Pa
ci1c fleet and air corps had bat
tered the first invasion armada OF
perhaps 40 ships in the Friday en-
gagement.
In the bright, warm light OF a
South sea moon, United States and
Netherlands cruisers, destroyers and
submarines and aircraft flown by
British, American, Australian and
Dutch pilots beat off the first at
tempt to storm the strong Soerabaja
naval base and then sent the Japa-
nese warships and their long trans
port train reeling northward in
retreat.
All Friday night they fought and
then throughout yesterday the guns
doomed out at sea as the fast sea-
chasers under the Dutch Admiral
G. F. Helfrich maintained contact.
Allied headquarters acknowledged
frankly that both sides had sus-
tanned losses in what, at first, ap-
peared to be complete rout of the
invading Armada. They could not,
however, estimate the extent of the
damage in the middle of this fierce
and continuing engagement, nor
could they piece together all the
details Of the action.
Greatest Battle Indicated.
AL portents pointed, however, to
this as the greatest sea battle yet
fought in the Pacific; a harder, more
extensive struggle than the engage
ments which slowed and wounded