WITHDRAWAL IN BURMA

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 April 1943, Page 5

WITHDRAWAL IN BURMA

JAP. “DIRECT THREAT”

SUPPLY DIFFICULTIES

RUGBY, April 7. An Indian communique states: On the Arakan front the position of our troops south of Rathedaung remains unchanged. Unable to make further progress in that area, the enemy dug in at Taungmaw, then proceeded in the past several days to develop a move against our exposed northern flank on the Mayu Peninsula. Infiltrating across the Mayu River, south of Kwazoc, the enemy succeeded over the week-end in mounting a direct threat to our communications in the narrow strip between the hills and the sea, north of Donbaik. To meet this outflanking movement, necessary readjustments have been made in our positions in the Mayu Peninsula. In engagements here, and with Japanese units operating in the hills area, and south of the Indians, our troops inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. Fighting continues. Yesterday morning, R.A.F. Blenheims escorted by fighters bombed enemy occupied villages at Thinganet, five miles west of Htizwe. Bursts were observed in the centre of the target area. In the afternoon, our fighters machine-gunned enemy positions. Last night, bombs were dropped on the Japanese aerodrome at Pakokku on the Irrawady southwest of Mandalay. All our aircraft returned safely.

Yesterday afternoon, a formation of enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked an aerodrome in Southeastern Bengal. Slight damage was caused and some casualties are reported. LATER.

A New Delhi statement says: Latest readjustments of our positions in the Mayu area in Burma were necessitated by difficulties of supply and communications. To maintain our positions it was necesary that there should be a considerable number of troops which could not be maintained during the rainy season. The enemy move was strongly contested by our naval craft, but despite losses the enemy succeeded in infiltrating small parties. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy. The enemy gathered considerable land and air forces, but succeded only in taking an area, which is anyhow untenable in the rainy season. He may try to gain further local success before the rainy season.

CHINESE SUCCESSES,

CHUNGKING, April 6

A Chinese raiding party operating 100 miles behind the Japanese lines in Shantung Province engaged 3000 Japanese, killing at least 100. The Associated Press says that this deep penetration occurred where the Chinese are constantly threatening Japanese rail communication, particularly between Tsingtau and Tsinan, one of the most important links supplying the Japanese front line. In another engagement 200 Japanese were killed. In Honan Province the. Japanese have made a new crossing of the Yangtse River near Shasi. The Chinese counter-attacked and held the invaders in check. The Chinese attacked at several points an important Japanese base north-west .of Hankow, inflicting heavy casualties.

FURTHER ATTACK.

CHUNGKING, April 7. The Chinese have again attacked the Japanese column which crossed the Yangtze near Shansi. A communique states that many enemy troon c were mopped up and the remainder encircled. The Chinese successfully raided an enemy position west of Kinhwa and killed 100 Japanese.

SIAM'S PLIGHT. (

(Rec. 11.50 a.m.) NEW YORK. April 7

The Premier of Thailand (Dr. Songgrain), broadcasting from Bangkok. admitted that many Government official.;, newspapers, and people are very dissatisfied. “But what can I do? I would like to engage good Ministers, but I cannot find them. When I can find them there are reasons which I cannot explain why I cannot employ them.” Dr. Songgram asked Cabinet to find someone else for his post. The Office of War Information commenting on the broadcast, says Dr. Songgram declared last week that Thailand was under martial law, with the Japanese military in full control of the economic life. Dr. Songgram presumably is retaining supreme command under the Japanese.