ADVANCE IN BURMA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13064, 5 February 1943, Page 7

ADVANCE IN BURMA

MANY NATURAL OBSTACLES

London, Feb. 2

British forward patrols are operating in a new area in the wild mountain country on the borders of Burma. This is in the upper Chindwin district. On the Mayu Peninsula further south there has been fighting round Donbaik. Strong Japanese resistance continues. Elsewhere in the Arakan district there has been no change.

Japanese resistance, which is even stronger than was generally anticipated, and the tremendous

natural hazards in Burma, have not dismayed Indian and British troops, who are gradually advancing south over the Arakan Hills and the Mayu Range, says the war correspondent of the Associated Press in Western Burma.

Mountains, tidal rivers, virgin jungles, and the enemy’s vicious resistance make swift progress impossible, and that is why only a comparatively few miles have been reoccupied.

Indian and British casualties are officially described as reasonably light. Japanese casualties have been heavy, but whenever a Japanese falls another always seems to jump into his place.

An India joint communique states that yesterday a formation of R.A..F. Hurricanes attacked and damaged Japanese water transport on the Mayu River. None of our aircraft is missing. No enemy air activity is reported.