GAINS IN BURMA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 212, 19 June 1944, Page 4

GAINS IN BURMA

AMERICAN FORCES ACTIVE.

AIR SUPPORT A GREAT FACTOR. CHINESE ENCIRCLE TOWN. (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Ree. 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, June IS. Chinese troops have taken Gurkliaywa, one mile north of Mogaung, in Burma, states a South-east Asia communique. Mopping-up continues at Kamaing. American troops are advancing toward Myitkyina from the north. Chinese patrols west of tire town wiped out enemy strongpoints. South of Myitkyina a Chinese force cut the Waingmavv Ferry. Despite monsoon conditions, which, together with the enemy’s demolitions, iihpede pursuit, steady advances by our troops on the Koliima front have forced the enemy from his rearguard positions. Enemy elements are contained at Phasemai, on the lmphal road', and our troops have reached the track leading from Tophema to Kharison.

Air support has caused great disorder in the Japanese concentrations and movements. In the lmphal sector there has been heavy rain but there have been numerous clashes and ambushes, in which the enemy suffered disproportionately heavy casualties. Monsoon conditions are now general, and air operations have been of necessity restricted to some extent. There has been no slackening in the land efforts.

General Stilwell’s Chinese and American forces in North Burma have been slowly pressing the enemy back, despite stiff resistance in both the Mogaung Valley and the Myitkyina areas. Chinese troops completely encircled Kamaing. The ground gained just south of Mogaung has been consolidated. Inhabited places, including Chakrao, six miles west of Kaimaing, Kadow. east ,of Timbonghka, and Zigyum, east of the river and a mile north of Kamaing, have been occupied by our troops. On the Mahipur front, in a week of hard fighting, there has been no major change. The enemy has continued his withdrawal under pressure from south and east of Koliima (Assam) on the road to lmphal. On the Imphal-Ukhrul road there has been heavy fighting. In the Bishenpur area there has been further fighting in the village of Ningthoukhonga. Last Monday, after the enemy, aided by tanks, achieved local penetration of our perimeter, a coun-ter-attack fully restored the position and five Japanese tanks were destroyed. The Arakan front (Burma) has been quiet, with some patrolling. Our troops moved southward from Mowdolc and took up new positions in the Sangu valley. , Over the whole, Burma front air ferrying of men has been maintained. There lias been no enemy . interference—British Official Wireless.