Evening star., 1942-02-07
Defenders Engage
Small Nipponese
Boots in Strait
Nv the Associated Press,

long-range guns today Shelled
residential areas of Singapore
for the first time and British ar
tillery, in a laundering cannon
duel, silenced a Nipponese bat
terry and engaged small enemy
boats in Johore Strait.
(The communique reporting the
engagement of Japanese small
boats did not make clear whether
the Japanese were attempting to
cross narrow Johore Strait, but
the craft mentioned are the type
which likely would be used in an
effort to land small bodies of
men on the northern shore of
Singapore Island)
The British Far East command,
while announcing there had been
some shelling of residential areas,
did not state the extent of damage.
At the same time, 1t said the Japa-
nese again raided the fortified
island and caused some damage by
bombs.
Enemy Battery smashed.
British guns trained on the coast
line of Southern Johore state
smashed an enemy battery in that
area, the communique said
The British said the japanese
shelling had increased in intensity
and was causing some damage in
the north of the island. A few cas-
ualties were reported.
When the Japanese air raiders
came over the oft-bombed city for
their customary morning raids,
fighters of the Far East command
rose to join battle and destroyed one
Japanese aircraft. the Far East
command said.
It added that another plane prob
ably was destroyed and two dam
aged. while all the British fighters
returned to their base.
1t was announced that during
yesterdays raids on Singapore
Island one Japanese army 81 twin
bomber and one single-engine
bomber were destroyed in combat
with British fighters.
The British kept up their strong
guard against any Japanese attempt
to cross the strait.
(The Vichy radio quoted
Toxic dispatch as saying the
British had poured thousands of
gallons of oil In Johore Strait
which would be set on fire if the
Japanese launched invasion
barges0
Second Week Of Siege.
The shelling of Singapore resi-
Dental areas opened the second
week Of siege for the fortress the
British have sworn to defend until
help comes.
1t was the first time that the
Japanese artillery, presumably en-
placed on the shores of Johore
Strait across from the northern
shore Of Singapore Island, had
found the range beyond the coastal
stretches of Johore Strait.
Singapore city proper is on the
opposite end of the 14-mile- e-wide
island from Johore Strait, but the
outskirts extend some distance to
the north Of the city itself.
British authorities said only a few
shells fell on the city's outer areas.
The japanese bombers flew at
their usual high levels in the latest
raid.
With the British commander of
the beleaguered fortress vowing that
I'VE will hold Singapore; there is
no question about it," authorities
today ordered a compelte blackout
every night for Singapore.
The new rule abolished the brown
out" regulations which heretofore
permitted householders to have
limited subdued lighting except
during alarm periods.
Warnings Against 'Chutists.
Singapore morning newspapers
prominently displayed advertise
ments warning the populace against
the possible appearance of Japa-
nese parachute troops.
"The japanese may land in small
parties on the coast of Singapore or
by parachutes by night" the adver-
tisement said.
The stout declaration that Singa-
pore would be held gave new
strength to the islands defenders.
While firmly pledging resistance.
1t. Gen. A. E. Percival, commander
Of Imperial land forces here, ON
cially disclosed what many in Singa-
pore had known for some time
that some of the men, planes, ships
and supplies had been removed from
the naval base and several air fields
on the island.
Gen. Percival hastened to offer
reinsurance, however. that the with
drawal did not mean Singapore's s
defenses had been weakened.
"Just because we do not see 50
many Of our aircraft overhead and
our naval units about does not mean