CENTRAL BURMA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 304, 23 December 1944, Page 6

CENTRAL BURMA

Rapid Advance Of 14th Army Continues DRIVE TO MANDALAY Rec. 2.30 p.m. ' RUGBY, Dec. 22. The 14th Army's rapid advance in central Burma continues. "Fourth Corps troops," says a south-east Asia communique, "have occupied Kawlin on the Myityina-Mandalay railway, eight miles south of Wuntbo. "On the Chindwin front our leading troops are 17 miles east of Shwegyin -on the Shwegyin-Yeu Road. On the 15th Indian Corps front naval craft heavily shelled Rathedaung on the east bank of the Mayu River. Air activity continued against widespread targets." - Summing up the prospects of the Burma fighting The Times speaks of the great achievements of the Fourteenth Army and the high quality of its leadership which has justified the •fullest confidence in the future of the south-east Asia campaign under Admiral Mountbatten's direction. The Japanese defence in Burma is now subject to a heavy strain. 'Allied aircraft 'control the Burmese skies, while the British command of the Indian Ocean prevents the enemy from reinforcing his army by sea. American technical skill and daring have vastly improved our own communications. The Times says that no praise can be too high for the work of the—manily American— 1 air transport services which have revolutionised the conduct of the campaign. The newspaper expresses the opinion, however, that. the Japanese will fight on with characteristic obstinacy and, even where his soldiery is less stubborn, climate and distance, jungle and mountains will still make the reconquest of Burma no. easy task.