IN BRITISH REAR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 119, 15 February 1944, Page 5

IN BRITISH REAR

Japanese In Arakan Region ATTACKS BEING HELD

(British Official Wireless.) . RUGBY, February 13. A dispatch from an officer observer with the 14th Army on the Arakan front, dated February 9, summing up the operations then in progress, says the Japanese were attacking the lines of supply behind the forward troops in Arakan. The defenders, one British headquarters formation, who recently fought off a Japanese attack, came out at dawn to find 60 enemy dead. In a later cable he says that though Japanese raiders have operated in the rear for five days now, the British line in Arakan has not moved back a yard. The Japanese probably hoped that when their raiding force, estimated at 2000 strong, broke through, the British troops would be withdrawn to cover their supply lines. Instead, these troops have been re-established in “strong boxes east and west of the Mayu range, with the original front still intact. There was hard fighting for a mountain pass on the Arakan front, and he adds that the battle goes on as fiercely as ever.

“After days of effort and heavy losses the enemy, swinging round left-handed against the rear of our forces, penetrated to the east end of the Jgakydauk Pass. Vigorous steps are being taken to dislodge them. There is intense air activity, and Japanese raiding parties slipping out from the foothills of the range are still attempting harassing and wrecking activities; but our men are dealing hard blows, and they will soon deal still harder ones.” Positions Maintained. “Though the outcome of the heavy fighting east and west of the Mayu range, in. Arakan, cannot yet be predicted, the situation appears not unfavourable to us.” states a South-east Asia communique. “Our troops are maintaining their positions against continued Japanese attacks. Operations to restore our communications are proceeding against stiff opposition. Numbers of Japanese have been captured east of the. Mayu range. West of the range there is nothing to report. “Fighting continues south-west of Taiphaga, in the Hulawng Valley. Northeast of Taro, Chinese forces made a further advance in the face of enemy opposition. In the Fort Hertz area, our forces ambushed a large party of Japanese. inflicting heavy casualties. ’The air forces continued their attack by day and night on enemy positions, communications, ' and supply dumps, without loss, Fifteen Japanese river craft have, been sunk and ten others damaged, and a large steamer was set on fire, on the ‘ Mayu Kaladan waterways and the Irrawaddy River.”

FIRM HOLD IN BURMA

Offensive By Chinese (Received February 14, 10.50 p.m.) NEW YORK, February 14. After three months’ fighting in which they defeated a good part of one Japanese division and advanced 60 air miles into Burma, Chinese, troops now firmly control the upper third of Hukawng Valley and most of Dalu Valley southward, reports the “New York Times” correspondent, Tillman Durdin. It is estimated that they kiljed more than 1000 Japanese. The Chinese advance was originally described as a screening action designed to protect the construction of the Ledo Road into northern Burma, but it has now become au offensive in its own right and part of the campaign to retake northeastern Burma. BASES IN CHINA General Stilwell’s Comment CHUNGKING,/February 13. Commenting on Admiral Nimitz’s declaration on the naval offensive in the Central Pacific Atiued to obtain Chinese bases. General Stilwell eaid that vital China-based operations cannot wait for the penetration of the Japanese blockade by land or sea. China is totally dependent on air transports and needs an immediate and continued increase in supplies. “In spite of the blockade, we intend heavily to support the Pacific naval drive by an aggressive Allied land and air offensive projected from the interior of Asia.” The American 14th Air Force, in widespread operations over occupied China and eastern Hunnan, and French Indo-China, and against coastal shipping on February 11 and 12 lost four aircraft, General Stilwell’s communique states. Mitchells, with fighter escort, attacked an aerodrome and storage area near Hong- Kong, ehooting down five of 10 intercepting fighters, including the new Tojo type. AIR TRANSPORT LINK Greater Tonnages Yet CHUNGKING, February 13. General Stilwell states that Chinese and American forces fighting in northern Burma have already begun the first assault on the Japanese cordon. The Ledo Roan is progressing favourably, in spite of extremely unfavourable weather. Air transport in this theatre has set historic rtcords, but far greater tonnage totals must be achieved, “We will have the largest and newest cargo carriers, for which every facility and accommodation is being prepared,” he says. The Associated Press says that airfields under construction in China are likely to be used not only for huge cargo aircraft from India, but also for superbombers making long-range attacks against the Japanese. General Stilwell’s statement is regarded as confirmation that the Chinese armies, in spite of their lack of heavy armament, are preparing for participation in the general Allied strategy.

TOLL OF JAPANESE SHIPPING Raids By U.S. Bombers (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 13. United States bombers in a sweep off Hainan Island sank two enemy ships, states a communique from General Stilwell’s headquarters. Another was sunk off Hong Kong. Targets on the Yangtze and on tit Canton-Kowloon railway were also bombed. Two American planes are missing from these operations. Lightnings destroyed two trains, one of which was carrying Japanese troops, on the Canton-Kowloon railway. It is disclosed in New Delhi that Mosquito bombers are operating on the Burma front. They are capable of attacking areas which the Japanese, have hitherto considered safe. They can operate as far afield as the Thailand frontier, as the recent raid on Bangkok proved.