24 Jan 1942
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 14 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Jan 24, 1942
Page
1
Prime Minister and Deputy warn Australia must endure total war as Japanese air and naval pressure increases. Reports from Rabaul and New Britain indicate aircraft activity and advances, prompting calls for high industrial output and national resolve. Premier calls for no panic while pledging decisive defense.
The report notes that Japan aims to strike from Rabaul and cites a stocktaking of Australian defenses. Minister statements indicate attention to Queensland defenses and strengthening positions near Australia as part of ongoing strategic concerns. Continued coverage referenced.
A wartime minister warned that Britain's fate rests on the Pacific fight and the Atlantic defense. He urged Australia to accept a doctrine that Britain would shield the empire, urging full faith in naval strength and resources to halt the southern drive of the foe while Malaya remains the western flank.
Fragmented wartime note describes continuous incidents and bombings over Malta on a Tuesday evening. British authorities and American forces repelled the attackers with anti-aircraft fire, preventing further damage to inland areas and residential targets.
Melbourne authorities reported an unidentified plane off the Victorian coast triggering an air raid siren. Police Commissioner ordered alert as watchers failed to identify the craft and RAF RACAT and ARP officers later confirmed the standby signal and system performed efficiently.
The text reports heavy fighting in Malaya with Allied and enemy actions. Allied aircraft conducted air strikes against northward transport and convoys while enemy bombers damaged several targets. Singapore raids involved numerous aircraft, causing civilian casualties and damage to military objectives in residential areas.
In bad visibility three strong enemy columns held Rommel’s bulk of tanks in march toward a line southeast of Mersa Greep. Australian and Allied forces report heavy fighting and reconnaissance efforts as they maintain contact with the enemy amid changing positions and bombings in Indo China and Timor areas.
A wartime official reports rapid U S troop shifts to western posts and new defenses as Japan’s October 7 attacks are offset by growing offshore force. He says production lines will surge and the 300 caliset site on the west coast will bolster interceptors to seal defense gaps.
Ottawa reports the Governor General Earl of Athlone announced Parliament will consider a plebiscite on conscription. He cited armed forces strength and munitions reductions as factors and projected unprecedented approvals for the proposal amid ongoing war measures.
In Ottawa, the Governor General opened Parliament signaling that Canada will be asked to approve substantial war aid to Britain. Reports note calls for American aid and discuss enemy actions, with mentions of Churchill, Eighth Army, and contested British funding balances amid harsh weather and fighting conditions.
Fragmentary wartime note describes Rommel probing a light British force and misinterpreting the gain of initiative. In London, rumors of reinforcements swirl as attacks threaten Axis airfields and supply routes, with references to Catania and airfield actions as ships and plans move.
Soviet forces press the Germans on multiple sectors around Moscow and Leningrad, with pincers advancing along a Smolensk line toward Mojaisk and threats to break to Tula and Kharkov. The Moscow front reports continued German withdrawals as Allied and Russian units push toward key railway hubs and border areas amid heavy fighting and strategic bombardment.
Rangoon reports new Chinese reinforcements joining British defenders as Japanese thrusts into Burma are anticipated within ten days. Japanese claims say forces crossed the Salween River on the Burma Thailand frontier, signaling a third front and aiming to sever the Burma Road.
A refugee style dispatch describes Japanese attacks along the Philippines with RAF involvement and British reports. Details mention operations at Kawhurel and Lingayen Gulf, air battles near Batan, and reinforcements for Japanese forces believed to be about 300,000 on Luzon with plans to use elephants in combat.
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