FAR EAST WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 March 1943, Page 5

FAR EAST WAR

OPERATIONS IN BURMA

LONDON. March 6. A joint Indian communique on Friday said: “Two formations ol Blenheims, escorted by Hurricanes, yesterday attacked enemy-occupied villages in the Akyab area. One ioimation encountered a number of enemy fighters. Last night Wellingtons attacked railway targets, scoring hits in the target area. In these and othei operations at least two enemy nghters were destroyed and others damaged. One of our aircraft is missing. I_jA 1 jstc.

A New Delhi communique reports a highly successful attack on Saturday by Royal Air Force Liberator bombers on the Mandalay railway station and yards. Blenheims bombed targets in the Mayu peninsula. Hurricanes shot up river craft. All the aircraft returned safely. It has been established that seven Japanese aircraft were destroyed in Friday s operations.

CHINESE SUCCESSES

CHUNGKING, March 6

The “Central News” says a Chinese counter-offensive is in progress in western Yunnan on the bank of the Salween river. The Chinese are pushiing the Japanese towards Burma. The Chinese captured many towns, including Manynkai, Pangwachai, end Tassutse. Other Japanese forces are retreating westward along the Kunming-Lashio route towards Kunlung. The Chinese have recaptured Mengting.

(Rec. 11 a.m.) CHUNGKING, March 7. A Japanese column striking northward from the neighbourhood of Tachupa on the Yunnan Burma border met stiff Chinese resistance and made no progress, says a Chinese communique. Chinese forces on the cast bank of the Lunghuan River captured Kiangzuchen. Enemy remnants fled to Renchung. Heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy when the Chinese attacked near Ceihchihao in the Hupeh-Hunnan border region, where fighting is still progressing.

CHINESE RECONSTRUCTION

CHUNGKING, March 6

A review of Marshal Chiang Kaishek’s book, “China's Destiny,” discloses a 10-year reconstruction plan for China, envisaging the building oi 20,000 transport aeroplanes, and the educating of 2,460.000 technical and vocational school graduates compared with 417,000 in the last live years. The Kuomintang is seen functioning as a nerve centre in reconstruction. Defining his attitude to other parties. Marshal Chiang declares he has no preconception against various ideologies and organisations. He hopes other parties will not impede reconstruction by illegal measures, for instance, maintaining troops and asserting regional domination. China’s destiny must be decided within two years.- he says, and during the period of war resistance. In the past China’s destiny has depended on diplomacy. In future it will be decided by the people themselves. China entered a new phase of reconstruction with the abolition of extraterritoriality.

INTERNMENT AT SHANGHAI

WASHINGTON, March 6

The Swiss authorities have informed the Unites States State Department that the Japanese are interning British and Americans at Shanghai except those who are sick. No reason has been given, but it is believed it is in retaliation for the internment of Japanese in America.