OFFENSIVE IN BURMA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 137, 7 December 1944, Page 8

OFFENSIVE IN BURMA

Rec. 9; a.m,

KANDY, Dec. 6.

A South-east Asia communique states that the expansion of the bridgehead on the east bank of the, Chindwin River •was proceeding against enemy opposition; In the northern combat area, Chinese troops made slight gains at Bhamo, near the Irrawaddy. The lines were; straightened and positions consolidated in other sectors.

It- is possible •■■ that before manyweeks troops of the Fourteenth Army, *whp are advancing steadily beyond Kalewa, may be astride the branch railway from Ye-U to Mandalay, reports the Associated Press correspondent. ; Although Ye-U is only 75 miles south-east of the Kalewa road it runs through tough, mountainous jungle, every . mile of which is likely to be contested strongly. Strong support is being given to the ground forces by the R.A.F., which is bombing and strafing the retreating Japanese. Tliere are many rivers along the road across which the Japanese are obliged to ferry supplies in darkness because of the destruction of bridges. As . a result, supplies are continually becoming concentrated and thus are good bombing targets

•The' Chinese position at Bhamo has been strengthened by the capture of the airstrip. The Americans and Chinese are rapidly adapting it for iuse as another spx-ingboard for launching attacks against the Japanese.