FAR EAST CAMPAIGN

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1943, Page 6

FAR EAST CAMPAIGN

NEW “BURMA” ROAD. •

NEW DELHI, Sept. 27. The Associated Press of Great Britain*’ says: A new Burma Road, details of which have hitherto been secret, has reached Japanese-occu-pied North Burma. Chinese troops, trained and led by Americans, are beating back Japanese as a polyglot swarm of road constructors bite deeper into the jungle. The first portion of the road is built. Much more must be constructed before it links up with the old Burma Road. It is hoped to speed up construction during the coming dry weather, so that the road will be at least usable for the transport of supplies in the event of occupation of part or all of Burma. The road runs from Assam into North Burma. It will eventually link up with the old Burma Road between Lashio and Chungking. The route is along the southern slopes of the Himalayas and covers some of the world’s wildest mountains and thickest jungles. It is officially named the Ledo Road. The construction began on December 15, 1941, under the direction of American' Army engineers, aided by a mass of bulldozers, trucks and other mechanical equipment, which were brought 16,000 miles by road, rail and sea. American Negro troops have been taking the key part. They are assisted by many Indo-Chinese and Burmese. A British United Press correspondent says: Engineers consider this battle against the jungle and torrential rain—up to three hundred inches annually in places—also mud, landslides, leeches and malaria as the toughest they are ever likely to encounter.

ATTACK IN BURMA LONDON, Sept. 20. The Berlin radio, quoting Japanese reports from Shanghai, said: “Lord Louis Mountbatten’s plans for a general attack against Burma are almost complete. The war in East Asia is about to enter a new phase. A strong, battle-trained Japanese Army is ready to meet offensive moves.” FURTHER BOMBINGS. RUGBY, September 27. An India communique stated: R.A.F. Beaufighters continuing yesterday the attacks on Japanese communications in Burma, concentrated on railway targets, while Hurricanes attacked river craft. Two locomotives and upwards of 35 covered waggons were heavily damaged. Other targets, including a station building, were set on fire. Transport was effectively attacked and sampans damaged on the Mayu River, south of Kwazon. FRICTION WITH COMMUNISTS. CHUNGKING, Sept. 27. The strained relations between the Chinese Communists and Marshal Kai-shek’s Nationalist Party flared openly to-day, says the Associated Press, when the People’s Political Council, in a resolution, accused the Communists of a disobedient attitude and subversive activities. The Council in its resolution, expressed great regret and displeasure at the Communists’ hostile attitude and urged their abandonment of rhe Communist movement and the incorporation of the Red Army into the National Army. THE KING'S MESSAGE 'RUGBY, Sept. 27. The King has sent a message to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, expressing his sincere pleasure in conveying cordial congratulations on Marshal Chiang’s election as President of the Chinese Republic. The King wishes Marshal Chiang the best of health and success and prosperity to China under his leadership.