JAPANESE IMPEDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1942, Page 8

JAPANESE IMPEDED

FIGHTING IN BURMA

ENEMY PLANES SUFFER

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Rec. 2 p.m.) RANGOON, Jan. 28,

A communique states that British forces which made contact with the Japanese eastwards of the Salween River are battering the enemy. The running combat, which is now in its sixth day, will seriously impede the Japanese thrust southwards, allowing invaluable time for much-needed Allied reinforcements to arrive.

The situation on the Tenasserim front is unchanged. The enemy's drive on the Gulf of Martaban is suspended despite his superior numbers. .

Six enemy planes were destroyed over Rangoon today. Six were probably lost and nine were damaged. We lost three planes, but the pilots were saved.

Last night Blenheim bombers heavily raided the Bangkok docks, which were largely burned out as a result of previous raids. All our planes returned.

The Berlin radio quotes a Tokio announcement that the British in Burma have been considerably reinforced and have established a strong defence line on the delta of. the Irrawaddy. Empire forces are standing firm west of the Salween River.