JAPANESE IN BURMA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 87, 23 January 1942, Page 3

JAPANESE IN BURMA.

FIERCE FIGHTING REPORTED. CHINESE ASSIST IN DEFENCE. RANGOON, Jan. 22. Thore is fierce fighting in the Kawkareik area, east of Mouhnein. British bombers and United States fighters are taking part. Yesterday’s Rangoon communique said: “Our forces were fighting throughout the day yi the Kawkareik area, and resisting strongly. Heavy fighting is still in progress.” Kawkareik is 45 miles east of Monlmein. A Tokio report claims that the Japanese troops advancing on Moulmein have', after heavy fighting, broken the resistance of 40.000 British troops opposing them.

“If General Hutton wants more men there are thousands of fit Chinese warriors eager for action,” said General Liu Kwan-loong, leader of the Chinese forces in Burma, according to the Rangoon correspondent of the Associated PressT'of Great Britain. General Liu Kwan-loong added: “My troops are skilled veterans. They have been fighting lor years and have taken part in many major battles.” General Liu Kwan-lcong lias conferred with the British High Command in Burma and arranged for Chinese troops to guard a section of Burma’s north-eastern frontier, where mountains 7000 feet high are cut by gorges.

Lieutenant-General T. J. Hutton, British commander in Burma, said that the number of Chinese was considerable, and probably more were arriving. The Chinese rifles and automatics wore excellent. The men were disciplined and mobile, and had plenty of artillery suitable for mountain warfare. General Liu Kwan-loong said bis force had trekked from South Kwangsi entirely by foot* .without mules or motor-lorries. The men carried supplies, rifles and mountain artillery on lofig daily forced marches.