Evening star., 1942-01-14

battle, the irst to come from the
small oil-bearing island of North
east Borne, was made available
through Arata, Netherlands Indies
news agenc,:
After the Japanese for some time.
at regular Intervals, had carried out
all attacks on Tarakan, it became
clear in the middle of last week that
they aimed 20 capture the island.
"On the tlorning of January 8 the
japanese r. ided the place and were
greeted win a heavy anti-aircraft
barrage. Cne Of their planes was
hit and crsihed and the entire crew
lost their lives. The few remaining
bombers at acked ship of the Royal
Netherlanc Navy lying of Tarakan
without dong any damage.
Tw, Transports Hit.
"On Frieay. January 8, two at
tacks wer, carried out by eight
bombers lich also did not succeed
in damaging the Netherlands war
ship app, ,eciably. Some bombs
which larded close to the ship
wounded SINE members of the crew.
"At abo,S noon on Friday a large
fleet was Observed Is miles east of
the southe nmost point of the island
of Taraka point is called
Tandjoene Batoe. This fleet con-
sisted of six heavy cruisers. six
destroyers various transport ships
and one tinker.
AT abolt five o'clock in the after
noon. Is transport ships. protected
by Japanese naval vessels. ap-
preached he southernmost point OF
the island
''Natura ly. this enemy feet was
not left ulimloested. and bombers OF
the Netherlands Indies Army Air
Force attacked the transports and
scored several successes. Two direct
hits were scored on transport ships
and a near miss was scored on a
heavy crlser. while no fewer ths.n
three eneny planes were shot down
by Nethe,la Indies aircraft.
Invaders Land.
"Meanp nile. it appeared that at
the SAINT time preparations were
made to and troops in the neigh
borhood RI Anal, on the east coast
of the island.
In tht early morning of Sunday
the Japa tese began to land troops
at Tandl)eng Batoe and Anal In
the afternoon the situation had be-
come su:h that our troops had
formed front south and east of
the town of Taraken.
The protective garrison at Anal
had to withdraw after having in
flicted heavy losses on the enemy,
after which the japanese began to
advance toward the oil fields and
attacked
"Origirally the japanese succeeded
in break ng through. but. by throw
ing in re,erves our troops succeeded
in throw ng back the enemy. so that
on SunIay night the entire front
was recovered and the defense
formed me uninterrupted line in
half-cirIie around Tarakan.
The japanese continuously
poured il new troops and succeeded
in breaiing through our lines on
Monday
Near while, when it had become
clear thst the Japanese would drive
with superior forces, orders had been
given to destroy the Oil wells, tanks,
pumps, 'emaining oil stocks of the
island snd everything which might
be valus ole to the enemy. This all
occurred according to plans prepared
long be ore. The destruction was
already completed on Sunday morn
ing.
In,ieS Forces Surrounded.
"On Monday, the japanese, after
a hard battle with heavy losses on
both sizes. had advanced so far that
they hal surrounded the remaining
Netherl,nd Indies forces which were
fighting at several points.
"Und.r heavy air bombardment
and unler the enormous heat of the
burnins oil, the Tarakan garrison
was ov:rrun. A small part of the
garrison succeeded in escaping to
the mainland Of BorneO.
The object-preventing a single
drop o. oil from falling into enemy
hands, had been accomplished de-
spite tae heavy odds and great ef-
forts on the part of the enemy. The
garrison of Tarakan fully did its
duty.
Tn he meantime. the army air
force continued raiding the Jap
anese ships, and several successes
have feen scored No fewer than
four Transport ships received direct
hits"