Major events of this period	The Straits Times, Jan 31, 1942 THE front is now appreciably closer to Singapore. In the centre, there is heavy fighting at Kulai, which is about 20 miles by road north of Johore Bahru. On the west coast, according to last night’s communique, there has been some fighting in the Pontian Besar area. So far as the east coast is concerned, however, there is no change to report. It was stated in authoritative circles in London, declared the BBC last night, that on the western sector the Japanese are 20 miles from the Causeway at Johore Bahru, and on the eastern sector about 45 miles from the Causeway. Southern Johore is today largely cleared of Asiatics, who have now trekked on to the island, while most have now left the evacuation areas on that part of the island coastline facing the Johor Straits, writes the Straits Times War Correspondent. There is no sign of any confusion or undue haste leading to obstruction among the refugees, some of whom have now been obliged to move many times during the campaign. One of the most noteworthy sights in Johore yesterday was the presence on the roads of the steam-rollers and tractor which have piled their way down from the far north. They are being driven by soldiers and sailors whose obvious determination is to get their charges through to Singapore. So far, they have kept well ahead of the enemy, and there is little doubt that these cumbersome monsters will be brought through. A few of them did give up the ghost at Gemas, where I saw them. They had been left, however, only after being damaged beyond repair. In London, estimates were given of the size of the various Japanese forces in the Far East. In Malaya, the Japanese strength is believed to be six divisions totalling 100,000 men. Four divisions are thought to be in the Philippines, and two divisions in Borneo and neighbouring islands, and one division in New Guinea. The following is the communique issued by Combined Headquarters, Singapore, last night: "There is no change to report in the situation in the eastern sector of the front. "In the centre, there is contact with the enemy about Kulai, and heavy fighting took place yesterday in the Sedenak area. Enemy air activity has been considerable against our forward positions and communications. "In the western sector of the front, some fighting has taken place in the Pontian Besar area. "A further thousand of our troops cut off in the Batu Pahat area have now rejoined our main bodies "Raids by enemy aircraft during the last 24 hours in the Singapore area have been on an increased scale and some damage has been caused. Our A.A. defences shot down two enemy aircraft yesterday and last night. "During this morning’s enemy air raids on Singapore island, our fighters destroyed one enemy fighter and severely damaged several other aircraft. None of our aircraft is missing.’’ Moses' start page Chee Beng's start page Nura's start page Leslie's start page Previous Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.