PART OF OILFIELD DESTROYED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 173, 18 April 1942, Page 7

PART OF OILFIELD DESTROYED

Withdrawal In Burma

ENEMY MASSING LARGE SUPPORT FORCE

LONDON, April 17. The Imperial forces on the Irrawaddy front in Burma have withdrawn further to the north. A COm ™ Ue states that because of severe enemy pressure on the right flank our forces have withdrawn north of Magwe. The oilfield in one area has been destroyed. Our forces north of the Taungwmgdye area are .S protecting .he right Bank ot the Chinese Exped.l.onary

Japanese reinforcements which are being sent to Burma number more than 1 00,000 men, said the Chinese military spokesman in Chungking. Upward of 40 Japanese warships and transports have been sighted near Rangoon. The enemy ships were now landing two divisions at Rangoon, while over three additional divisions were en route.

(By Telegraph. —Press Assn. —Copyright.) » LONDON, April 16.

A message from Chungking says that the military spokesman disclosed that the position of the Chinese forces engaged below Mandalay was made more difficult by the British retreat on the Irrawaddy River sector westward, dangerously exposing the Chinese right flank. Simultaneously, on the Chinese left, the new Japanese drive north-westward from Thailand into the Shan States was assuming the proportions of a major offensive. Following the new Japanese landings, two Japanese columns which are striking toward Loikan are seriously threatening the Chinese who are still holding Myohla. The first Japanese column is moving bv the valley of the Salween River from the south-east and the second is reported to have reached Yado, en route to Loektrw. Outflanking Effort. A Chinese communique says that the Japanese have captured Mawchi, 3o miles from Toungoo, and are now turning north-westward with a view to outflanking the Chinese position astride the Mandalay Road. To-day’s communique from General Alexander’s headquarters states: "Bierce lighting continued throughout yesterday. Our forces which withdrew from Migyaungye established positions near Yenchuung, north of Minhia (about 20 miles south of Magwe) covered by the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. "The enemy air force has been very active both in forward areas and on the lines of communication north of Magwe. "It is reported that steady enemy pressure continued on the Myohla front today with our troops moving slowly back and fighting tr stubborn delaying action. “A belated report from field headquarters states that four Japanese parachutists landed in the jungle near Yeni on April 12. They are reported to have baled out from three aircraft.” The regiment of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, which has carried out a magnificent delaying action for days at Myingun, has fought wjth conspicuous gallantry throughout the entire Burma campaign. In the early stages, after 44 days’ fighting with little sleep and no respite, it faced the 800yard crossing of the Sittang River. Always outnumbered by three to one, it hehbthe bridge till it could be destroyed bv sappers, and then under shell-fire and swept by machinegun fire from the air the men swam across the stream.