DEFEATED FORCES

Evening Star, Issue 25113, 1 March 1944, Page 5

DEFEATED FORCES

JAPS. PULLING BACK (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 29. During the past 24 hours mopping-up operations have continued successfully in the areas east of the Mayu Range, states a South-east Asia communique. The remaining enemy column thatis offering resistance to the north of the Seventh Indian Division has Ibeen forced out of its positions in the hills northwest of Awlanlbin, and was last reported as withdrawing from that area. The final 'break-up of enemy resistance was accomplished wihen our troops, operating from ; the north and the west, attacked and occupied an important hill feature yesterday. East of the Mayu Range, from the area of Taung Bazaar to the main front, there are now struggling parties of Japanese troops trying desperately to find their way past our patrols back to their own lines. Enemy withdrawals are also taking place to the south along the Mayu Range 'both to the east and to the west of our positions on the crest. The enemy dead was officially reported to yesterday to number 1,500. It appears that the enemy is now preparing to fight on the line of his original positions in the Kaladan Valley. West African troops continue-to make satisfactory progress west of the valley. A vigorous air assault has been maintained against the enemy without Allied losses.