FAR EAST WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 March 1943, Page 2

FAR EAST WAR

OPERATIONS IN BURMA.

RUGBY, March 5

A New Delhi communique says: “One of our small naval craft on Wednesday night encountered five Japanese supply vessels at the mouth of the Mayu River. One enemy vessel was captured and prisoners were taken. We suffered neither casualties nor damage. “Royal Air Force bombers last night attacked Akyab, heavy cloud preventing accurate observation of the results. Blenheim bombers yesterday successfully bombed enemy positions at Rathedaung and Kamai, a few miles further east. Fighter patrols on Wednesday night shot up Japanese rail and road transport in the area between Segyi and Kyaupadaung. All our aircraft returned safely.” Heavy United States bombers attacked targets in the Rangoon area several times on Wednesday. Direct hits were scored on an important railway bridge, and docks and warehouses were also bombed. Two Japanese aircraft were probably destroyed. Medium United States bombers attacked the Japanese transport system in Burma. All the United States aircraft returned.

DROME ATTACKED

RUGBY, March 5

R.A.F. Liberators recently made one of the most effective raids in Burma, when they attacked the Toungoo aerodrome. The first bombs fell in the dispersal area, aircraft shelters being set on fire. The living quarters were also fired.

BRITISH CHECKED

LONDON, March 5

The British United Press correspondent on the Burma front reports: The British advance has been slowing up for the past three weeks. Bad weather is likely further to impede progress. Showers, which usually precede rains, have been increasing. The Allies’ preoccupation in the Mediterranean has involved the use there of transports and warships needed for large-scale attacks against Burma. Sporadic disturbances in India have also affected the Burma campaign.

CHINESE SUCCESSES

RUGBY, March 5

Renewed fighting in the Kiangsu province, in which four hundred Japanese were killed, is reported by a Chungking communique. Fighting is taking place in the area of the famous Grand Canal, which runs northward through the province to Chinkian on the Yangstze. After the failure of their initial offensive in this sector, the Japanese, last week brought up strong reinforcements and launched an attack on a large town. This has now been thrown back by the Chinese. A further local Chinese success was near Sunkai, Kwangtung province, only fifteen miles from the Japanese main base of Canton. An outpost position north-west of Sunkai was attacked on Sunday, and the enemy was forced to withdraw.