The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-29
AUSTRALIANS IN
SLASKING FIGHT

Continued from Page y
Reports of damage and casualties
had not been received from an out
| lying part of the island which the
Japanese attacked.
The communique said one Japa-
nese plane had been destroyed and
two damaged nj attacks no Singa-
pore Tuesday and one had been
down yesterday.
30 Miles From Tip
The Japanese driving from the
Central Railroad had reached Lay
ang, only 80 miles from the tip Of
the peninsula.
On the east coast they had reach
ed the Hull Sedili river area 30
miles from the strait, the commune
que showed.
The Layang Layang column was
now only IL 10 miles above the i'm
portant railroad town of Kulai,
where they could join with a second
japanese force advancing from
Yong Peng.
On the west coast, which had
been the chief battle zone, the STU
alton was reported unchanged with
the japanese in the Rengit area less
than 40 miles up the peninsula.
Japanese planes strongly intensi-
fled their action over the central
sector, the communique said, as
their Layang Layang force attempts
ed to continue down the railroad.
Imperial military transport rush.
ed new equipment and fresh troops
to the frontal area in preparation
for the real battle of Singapore.
New japanese Threat
Batavia, Jan. 20 - (U.P0 - jap
anese invasion froces, in a new
threat toward the enlightenment of
Singapore, have effected landing
at Pemankat, on the southwest Bor-
nee. coast, and Japanese troops have
started a drive toward that area
from British Sarawak to the north
a Netherlands Indies command COM
munique said today.
The communique said that the
Japanese, overwhelmingly stronger
than the Dutch forces in the area,
had obtained local successes despite
their fierce resistance.
Belief was expressed that the Jap
anese might attempt to drive down
the coast 80 miles to the important
base of Pontianak, or attempt an in
vasion landing there.
The Netherlands trops destroyed
all important detectives at Penang
kat as the Japanese attacked, the
communique said.
tt was believed that the Japanese
had come from Sarawak by ship to
attack their new objective, 40 miles
down the coast from the Sarawak
border.
In effecting their landing the
Japanese had established a foot
hold at the nearest Borneo point
to Singapore, which is 800 miles
to the west, with the Tambelan
Islands as stepping stones.
The strength of the japanese
force was not known.
Pemangkat is known chiefly for
the fierce battle there in 1850 be-
tween Netherlands forces and hos
tile trfibesmen.
The Netherlands command COM
munique, distributed through the
Netherlands Indies news agency
said Japanese planes had again at
tackled Emma Haven on the west
coast of Sumatra.
The communique said in full:
Communique
Japanese troops have landed al
Pemangkat, on the Borneo west
coast, south of Kuching, while al
the same time also on land heavy
pressure was exerted on our troops
operating in those regions.
Notwithstanding firm resis-
lance, the Japanese are obtaining
local successes, while Pontianak Is
being threatened. All important OBJ.
jectives on the spot have beer
destroyed by us.
Naval aircraft have carried out
action against japanese units ir
that area.
"A further report from Kendari
on the southeast Celebes Island
coast, now states that the Japa-
rese landings In that vicinity
which were effected at two points
were covered by the fire Of Japa'
nese warSiips. Strong resistance Il
being continued as our troops have
their positions.
IAN air attack was again carried
out on Emma Haven. There were
no casualties, as before. Damage
was inflicted on ships.
"At several points in the outer
provinces air activity continues
and the enemy is apparently car.
rying out much air reconnaissance
Reports from the vicinity o.
Balk Papan. on the east Bornet
coast, make 1t clear that there, too
resistance on our part Is stubborn.
" continuing.'