CEYLON DEFENCE STRENGTHENED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 138, 7 March 1942, Page 7

CEYLON DEFENCE STRENGTHENED

Arrival Of British Reinforcements • (Received March 6, 7 p.m.) • LONDON, March 5. A message from Colombo says that British reinforcements are arriving in Ceylon, which is preparing to meet possible aggression. The Governor stated that the local defence forces, had been reinforced by many soldiers, sailors and airmen from England and India.

Air Marshal Sir Richard I’eirse, who recently relinquished his appointment as Air Officer Cominauding-in-Chief, Bomber Command, has now been appointed Air Officer Com-manding-in-Cbief, India. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek is back in Chungking after nearly a month’s absence in Burma and India. It was revealed in Chungking tonight that he interrupted his return journey to make a special flight back to Lashio, in Burma, on March 3, for a discussion with General Wuvell, Coni-mander-in-Chief, India. A former Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Henry Grady, lias been appointed head of the United States war mission to India.

The mission is leaving for New Delhi immediately after the reorganization of India’s war establishment which has already been announced. “India Attack Soon.”

General Magruder, chief of the United States military mission to Chungking, who has arrived in Kunming, South China, by air from Burma, told the United I’ress that he expects a Japanese attffck against India soon, including a naval attack against Calcutta.

On the subject of Burma, General Magruder said that the position was serious, but that if the British could use the available Chinese forces, the Burmese oilfields and airports might .be saved. He added that the Japanese were using only two divisions, but that their troops were specially-trained jungle fighters, while the British Command and forces “were unprepared for the clever Japanese tactics.”

Replying to questions in the House of Commons today, the Secretary of State for India, Mr. Amery, said that 90,882 Indians and 33-17 Gburkas had been recruited for the Indian Army since the beginning of the war. Equipment for the troops still largely depended on Britain, though the Indian production was increasing.