HEROIC FIGHTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 162, 22 April 1942, Page 3

HEROIC FIGHTING.

RETIREMENT FROM RANGOON. BRITISH REGIMENTS’ FEAT. LONDON, April 20. The official story of the heroic fighting retreat from Rangoon to the north has now been told. During the last two montjhs, six British regiments have been fighting desperately in the defence of Burma against an enemy who has greatly outnumbered them, arid is supported bv complete local mastery of the air. One of the six British regiments, is the Gloucesters, a regular battalion of which was in the garrison at Rangoon before Japan came into the war. It was not sent to the frontier to meet the first attack, but remained behind to give confidence to the swarming mixed population of one of the greatest seaports of the East. That task was carried through with discipline, which counted for a .great deal in the last days, when evacuation became inevitable. The Gloucesters saved public order, suppressing sternly occasional outbreaks of arson and looting by criminal elements, and giving peaceful citizens a chance to leave quietly. V 1 Then the Gloucesters marched out to fight their way northward along the road and railway to Prome and Mandalay. The march tested their courage and endurance to the utmost. The situation was grave. Both at Rangoon and Pegu the Japanese were making great efforts. On March 7 the immediate future of Burma was decided in a few hours. Enemy Ritig Smashed. The Hussars smashed a ring round them at Pegu, and the Rangoon garrison, with the Gloucesters in front, drove resolutely into, the road block at Taukkyan. The enemy had brought, up guns, tanks and infantry. They had built across the road and railway obstackles of earth, stones, and trees at intervals, covering several miles, and had flanked and dominated them by many strong-points, the fire from which swept every approach. With gallantry, but inadequate artillery support, the Gloucesters advanced to the assault. Pushing relentlessly up the road and through the woodland to right and left, bombed all the time from the air, shelled by 75’s, and under a hail of machine-gun bullets, they pursued the Japanese from cover to cover. That night the survivors of the sadly-thinned battalion slept in the heart of the enemy defences. The next day the attack began again with dawn, and on March 8 tlie Rangoon garrison had broken through. This was the first defeat inflicted on the Japanese army. It was a small battle, but it was a fight for a great prize. Had the Japanese won, Burma would have been lost to Britain. The success was shared by the Gloucesters, on whom fell the heaviest losses, the Hussars (a squadron of the Royal Armoured Corps), the Frontier Force Rifles from the Punjab, two anti-tank batteries, and some field artillery. Until Japan takes Burma, it is pointed out, her plan is in jeopardy. While a large part of Burma is in British hands, India cannot be taken by the Japanese, the Chinese will not feel abandoned, and the Japanese will feel a smashing blow in a vital spot.