AIR ATTACKS IN BURMA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23845, 14 January 1943, Page 3

AIR ATTACKS IN BURMA

RAIDS ON JAPANESE COMMUNICATIONS

, ENEMY RESISTANCE NORTH OF AKYAB (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 13. “The Royal Air Force yesterday attacked objectives in several parts of Japanese-occupied Burma,” states a New Delhi communique. “Low-flying fighters destroyed a railway engine and machine-gunned railway buildings and rolling stock in the Shwebo district. They also damaged many ■river craft further south along the Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers, and in the Rathedaung area. "Fighters sank three or four supply sampans and damaged others down the Burma coast, south of Akyab. Blenheims escorted by fighters bombed two villages on Akyab Island. No enemy aeroplanes were encountered during these and other operations. None of our aircraft is missing.”

The present British operations in Burma could not be regarded as a major offensive, but as one part of a plan ultimately to drive the Japanese from the country, said LieutenantGeneral N. M. S. Irwin, commander of the Indian Eastern Army, at a press conference after his return from the forward areas near Akyab. “Our main objective is the destruction of the Japanese, not necessarily to proceed swiftly,” he said. “The Japanese are stiffly resisting. It is difficult to take any of them alive. They run to the hills or fight until they die.” Yesterday it was reported that Japanese resistance on the Mayu Peninsula, north of Akyab, was increasing. Reuter’s correspondent reports that British and Indian patrols which penetrated as far as the tip of the Mayu Peninsula were surprised by Japanese troops who crept from hideouts in the jungles and hills. The Jap-

anese at one point in the Donbak area captured two Bren carriers in a surprise attack and used them as a strong point until British guns knocked them out. , . The correspondent of the British United Press states that Indian troops on Sunday charged and captured one of three strategic hills in front of Rathedaung. which is surmounted by Buddhist temples. The Japanese entrenched in the remaining hills are putting up a violent mortar and machine-gun fire against British and Indian troops.

Strong Enemy Resistance “In the Arakan district fighting continues in the Donbak area of the Mayu Peninsula, where the enemy is resisting strongly,” said yesterday’s British communique from India dealing with the campaign in Burma. “There is no important change in the Rathedaung area. On Monday Royal Air Force fighters and bombers attacked several enemy objectives in different parts of Burma. The Pintha railway station in central Burma was bombed by Blenheims and machine r gunned by a fighter escort. Two engines were destroyed and other rolling stock was damaged. A burst was observed on and near the railway lines. Elsewhere two small Japanese steamers, one on the Chindwin river and one near Akyab, were damaged. Buildings and railway trucks were attacked at Kyaikthin and bombs were dropped at Launchchaung and Rathedaung. On Monday night Wellingtons bombed eiiemy occupied villages on Akyab Island. “From these and other operations none of our aircraft is missing.” The Commander-in-Chief of the United States Air Forces in India (Brigadier-General Bissell) 1 , at a press conference in New Delhi, revealed that the United States Air, Forces had carried out •25 offensive operations from India and 20 from China on targets in Burma last month, which was a 50 per cent, increase over November. United States aeroplanes over Burma had encountered heavier ground fire in December. The deterioration of the quality of the Japanese air force was indicated by the second-rate biplanes and inexperienced pilots the enemy was now using over China. The ferrying, of aeroplanes from America was being speeded up. The United States Air Force in India was growing stronger but it was “still in short pants.” Tribal Feuds Revived “Intending to delay the British advance the Japanese incited natives of Burma to revive age-old tribal feuds,’ reports the correspondent of the “Daily Mail” with General Wavell’s forces. “It is estimated that 20,000 people have been murdered or left homeless by incendiarism in the last six months. Scores of villages have been burned and hundreds of acres of farmlands devastated. “British guerrilla officers chosen for toughness and knowledge of the country are endeavouring to make peace. They are trekking, guided by natives, hundreds of miles over mountains and jungle tracks, meeting head men and attempting to arrange an armistice. Protection for villages and punishment for murderers and incendiarists are being offered by the officers, who are treating the tribesmen alike, whether or not they have co-operated with the Japanese. The casualties recently lessened, but the burning of villages continues.” i CHINESE EQUALITY WITH ALLIES MINISTER’S COMMENT ON TREATIES (Rcc. 7 p.in.) CHUNGKING. Jan. 12. “China’s legitimate diplomatic aspirations have generally speaking been satisfied by the British and American treaties signed yesterday,” declared the Chinese Foreign Minister CMr T. V. Soong). “China can now go to the peace conference on an equal footing with her allies.” He added that China had raised the question of the status of the Kowloon leased territory, but the British Government was not prepared to discuss it at present. Consequently China reserved the right to revive the matter later. Mr Soong said the question of Hong Kong’s status had not been raised. ARMY RANK FOR WAR CORRESPONDENTS SYDNEY, Jan. 12. American war correspondents in the south-west Pacific have been informed by the United States Army that they have now been taken into the Army with the rank of second-lieutenant. This does not in any way affect the status of the correspondent as it exists to-day. The rank has been granted purely as a benefit to the correspondent and his dependants. Should a correspondent be captured by the enemy his dependants will receive from the Army Department the same allotment as that paid to a second-lieutenant. American war correspondents will not wear the insignia of their rank. British and Dominion accredited correspondents, as distinct from official war correspondents, receive no pay or benefits from the military forces, nor do their dependants receive any benefits should they be killed, wounded, or captured.