RECONNAISSANCE OVER INDIA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23750, 23 September 1942, Page 3

RECONNAISSANCE OVER INDIA

Possible Japanese

Intentions

“NO UNUSUAL TROOP CONCENTRATIONS”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON. Sept, 21. “The indications are that the Japanese have temporarily abandoned the hope of fomenting fresh internal trouble in India,” says the New Delhi correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” This fact, combined with increasing enemy reconnaissance over Bengal and Assam, may mean that the Japanese have decided to use direct action in an attempt to cripple India’s war production. "Having failed to achieve their object by strikes, the Japanese may now be preparing to scare workers away by bombing. “The possibility that the reconnaissance is a preliminary to an invasion is not supported by any unusual troop concentrations. Japan is probably forced to remain on the defensive on the Burma front, but she is undoubtedly disturbed by watching the Allies’ growing potentialities in men and material in India, and urgently needs to do something to check British preparations.” The Berlin radio quoted a letter from Mr Gandhi to the Japanese people, written before his arrest, in which he expressed the hope that Japan would avoid attacking India, as the British might be willing to give the Indians home rule. The Rome radio, quoting a Tokyo dispatch, says that Mr Gandhi declared that he had no doubt that if Japan really desired the unity of India she would not interfere if the British were forced to abandon the country. A Buddhist priest look the letter to Japan.

MORE INCIDENTS IN INDIA

CALCUTTA AND MADRAS

NEW DELHI, Sept. 21. Rioters in Calcutta to-day attempted to wreck a tram, and injured the conductor. .... . A mob rescued three political prisoners from the-police at Nawangar. A military patrol had to use force to' arrest the ringleaders. A mob numbering 100, armed with knives and guns, burned down a shed and killed an assistant inspector in an attack on a factory in the Madras Presidency. Rioters looted seven shops in another Madras district. New outbreaks in the Bihar Province included an attack by an armed mob on a party of 17 policemen. Students attacked a police station. The General Officer Commanding, Bengal, has issued an order declaring that anyone failing to halt at a military challenge will risk being shot on the spot. The central committee of the Indian Communist Party has appealed to the Government to give up its "present policy of repression” and release Mr Gandhi and other Congress Party members. remove the ban on Congress Party organisations, and open negotiations with all parties for the establishment of a provisional national government.

TERRORISTS IN SIND

BRITISH MOPPING UP HUR BANDITS NEW DELHI, Sept. 21. The British mopping up of Hur terrorists in the Sind Province has been swift and vigorous. Forty-five have been killed. 50 hanged, 30 wounded, and 3000 were captured. Operations undbr martial law against these bandits continue. High explosive bombs wcre_not used, but in certain areas fire-bombs were used to destroy the Hur encampments and huts. The Hur headquarters at Pripogoth, the fortress palace of their leader, the Pir of Pagaro, were demolished. The Fir's residential palaces, harems, and luxurious bath were also destroyed. Only the mosque and other religious buildings remain.

“DESTRUCTION OF GERMANY”

U.S. AIR COMMANDER’S STATEMENT

(Rec. 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept 21. “The winning side in this war will be the one having the biggest and most effective air force,” said Briga-dier-General Ira C. Eaker. Commanding General of the United States Air Force in the European theatre of operations, in an interview with the aeronautical correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” He added that there were enough aerodromes built or building in the British Isles to accommodate all the Allied air forces needed for the destruction of Germany. Asked whether the phrase “destruction of Germany” needed qualifying, he replied: “I believe it is possible to destroy the enemy from the air. Destroy his aircraft factories, and you destroy his air force. Destroy _ his munition plants and communications, and you halt his armies. Destroy his shipyards, and you prevent him building submarines. There is nothing that can be destroyed by gunfire that cannot be destroyed by bombs.” Discussing Flying Fortresses, Briga-dier-General Eaker said: “There is hardly a corner of Germany we won t reach.” He indicated that the Americans might not confine themselves solely to day bombing, and said that combined operations by the British and American air forces equalled a day and night offensive which would prevent the German defences getting any rest. , . ~ Outlining his winter bombing policy, Brigadier-General Eaker said: "It is much better to bomb heavily and effectively on the few days that suit you, rather than to peck away in dribbles under unsuitable conditions.”

RHINE BARGES DESTROYED

PORT OF DUISBURG SAID TO BE USELESS

(Rpc. 11 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 21. The British United Press correspondent on the German frontier says that Royal Air Force raids have destroyed the inland port of Duisburg. During the most recent raid, on September 6, 139 barges, which were practically the entire Rhine fleet, stationed at Duisburg, were gutted and sank. This has made the port useless for some time. The barges are huge craft forming a vital part of Germany s water transport system.

BRIEF RAID ON BRITISH COAST

LONDON. Sept. 21. German raiders were over the southeast coast of England during yesterday. They dropped bombs along some houses, scoring a direct hit on one block of flats. The raid lasted less than a minute, and the raiders made off after machine-gunning the house-tops. Only two persons were injured. Royal Air Force fighters carried out an offensive sweep over the Dutch coast to-day. One anti-aircraft ship was set on fire. One fighter is missing.