DEFENCE OF BURMA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23588, 16 March 1942, Page 5

DEFENCE OF BURMA

Japanese Moving North MORE OPPOSITION EXPECTED (Received March 15, 9.30 p.m.) (U.P.A. LONDON. March 14. A Burma communique states that the Japanese main forces are still well, south of Taik-kyi (two-thirds of the way from Rangoon to Tharrawaddy), but patrols are reported to be moving northwards. British operations on the Nyaunglebin-Shwegyin area are proceeding satisfactorily. An Allied military leader at Chungking. after the completion of a fortnight’s tour of central and northern Burma, predicts that Japan may find an unpleasant surprise, because the United Nations’ forces in this area are prepared for a stand comparable with General MacArthur’s in the Bataan area. His reasons are: the presence of well seasoned, wellequipped Chinese troops, whose numbers are being constantly augmented: the greater seasoning of British and Indian regiments, who are rapidly becoming adept at jungle guerrilla fighting, the expected arrivals of Allied aircraft to supplement the Royal Air Force and the American volunteer air forces now there; the apparent Japanese error of stretching out their neck too far by over-extending supply lines in the Burma campaign. He thinks the Japanese may score initial successes, but that they will soon be stopped. He says the Chinese are already striking at the Japanese rear, and new successes, similar to the recent Japanese rout at Changsha, are not unlikely within a few wee'«:s. The Chungking correspondent of the “New York Times" says General Hsiung Shih-shui, who will shortly fly to the United States at the head of a Chinese military mission, declared in

an interview: "Vladivostok is like a time-bomb in Japan’s belly. From considerations of history, geography, and personal military judgment, I believe Japan will attack Siberian Russia as soon as possible—unldss diverted to India first by its helplessness through the failure of Britain and India to patch up their differences and present a co-operative front against the Japanese. Possible Attack on India “In this case, Germany would join the Japanese by diverting the spring offensive plans against Russia to a drive to India through Turkey and Iran. This would be most serious for China, since it would wholly cut off the supply route through India via Africa and the Indian Ocean.” On the other hand, the general declared. should Sir Stafford Cripps, envoy of the British War Cabinet, find a satisfactory solution of the Indian problem during his forthcoming visit and form a united Indian front against aggression, the Japanese would then strike north before attempting an at(ack against India and Australia. A Japanese attack against Siberia would be designed not only to remove the threat of Russian bombers based on Vladivostok, but also to prevent American aeroplanes and ships using Siberian bases as stepping stones from Alaska. It was therefore imperative that preparations be made to meet the expected Japanese assault. China would give the utmost assistance ny land if the Allies furnished aerial support. It is reported from New York that the Chinese Ambassador to Washington (Dr. Hu Shih) appealed to the people of India to fight at the side of the Chinese for the sake of civilisation. He added that the Chinese people would “enthusiastically welcome India as an old teacher and a new comrade in arms. India and China should work together, fight together, and rebuild our cultural life together,” INDIAN DEFENCE PLAN AIR FORCE BEING BUILT UP REVIEW BY GENERAL WAVELL LONDON, March 13. General Sir Archibald Wavell, Com-mander-in-Chief, India, at a press conference in New Delhi, outlined the steps to be taken for the defence of India. He said that the Japanese, in spite of all their successes, would be frustrated if the Allies steadfastly held together. General Wavell said that a strong air force would be stationed in the north-east of India, and that the rivers and coast would be patrolled by small armoured vessels, as well as by the Navy.- Lines of communication would be guarded, as well as river crossings. In the event of invasion, it would be the policy to have mobile forces ready to attack, instead of holding fixed defence lines. The fall of Rangoon, said General Wavell, was an even greater disaster than the loss of Singapore, because it brought the war closer to India and threatened the closing of communication with China. In the defence of Rangoon, he said, reinforcements arrived too late, and they were not sufficiently trained in that particular type of warfare. The Japanese had scored by the swiftness of their attack, but. in spite of the strong pressure, the British troops had put up a very strong resistance. He would not say that mistakes had not been made in the defence of Rangoon. Every effort had been made to establish fresh lines of communication to compensate for the loss of Rangoon. The Japanese, he said, intended to push north to upper Burma, in an attempt to cut the link with China, and to have near bases for an attack on India. ~ _ , A strong air force, said General Wavell, would be the principal means for the defence of India, and that was now being reinforced. More aerodromes were being built. “When the military situation looks difficult, the best tonic is to look at the situation of the enemy.” said General Wavell, who added that Japan was perpetually menaced in Manchuria, where the Russian danger was like a pistol pointed at her heart. Round her was a circle of mighty nations, mightier if Russia came in against her. and she .was facing the greater part of the world. _ He said it was possible that Japan would attack Russia. From the Japanese viewpoint, Russia was a neighbouring danger she might immediately decide to remove. The Japanese would not attack Russia unless certain of quick and easy success. General Wavell thought Russia, while engaged against Germany, would not move against Japan unless the Soviet was attacked or anticipated an attack. General Wavell asked for the suspension of judgment on the failure to hold Singapore and Malaya until the full story was available. He said the authorities were doing their utmost to remedy the causes. Reinforcements used in Malaya were men who had been trained for the Western Desert. He announced that the Government of India had given instructions that defence works, particularly the construction of aerodromes, be carried out on a 24-hour basis. i