FAR EAST WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 January 1944, Page 6

FAR EAST WAR

U.S.A. PLANES BUSY

CHUNGKING, Jan.. 17.

General Stilwell’s communique says: Mitchells raided the power plant at Hongay, Indo-China, strafing the entire area. Bombs demolished an outbuilding and scored a near missj on the main buildings; also directly , hit railway installations at Campna , Port. Other Mitchells sank a collier | off Swatow, then they bombed a i lighthouse and destroyed many buildings on Nanpeng Island. Mitchells out of the Chinese-American wing, [sweeping the South China coast snot (down a Japanese medium bomber. All jour machines returned. | OPERATIONS IN BURMA ; RUGBY, January 17. | A South-east Asia communique states: West of the Mayu Range our, \troops made a further small advance, occupying two villages. The Jap- ! anese attempted to re-enter both i these villages with fighting patrols, | but the attacks were repulsed. Advanced elements of our forces are re- [ ported three miles south east of Maungdaw. , Supporting these movements, R.A.F. dive bombers on Saturday carried out heavy attacks on the enemy s forward positions. In Northern Burma, six miles south of Sumprabum, levies successfully 'ambushed a considerable party or Japanese. Numerous air attacks were made on enemy-occupied villages, positions and sunply dumps in the Ka-lemyo-Upper Chindwin area; also regular sweeps were maintained against river and rail communications. Two of our aircraft are missing. BRITISH SUCCESS RUGBY, January 18. British troops have captpred the village of Bagona, three miles southeast of Maungdaw, states a New Delhi message. Japanese counterattacks have been repulsed. GUERRILLAS IN MALAYA CHUNGKING, January. 17. Rev. Marcus Cheng, a prominent Chinese Christian, who escaped from Singapore last year, reported that guerrillas are operating in Malayan ■ mountains and forests, led by British officers who survived Singapore s lall. He said: The guerrillas out-number the Japanese forces six to one, consisting mainly of Chinese troops with ■ some British, Australians and Indians. Crack Japanese troops who seized Singapore were transferred else- ! where. Malaya is garrisoned mainly with sailors who lost their ships. . Thousands of natives died because of scanty rations. j Mr. Cheng said Australians were

forced to build railroads and perform other hard labour. British prisoners were assigned humiliating tasks, formerly done by the humblest coolies. TDinfnvr> chows, oniiim dens and bars

were doing a thriving business in Singapore. After capturing Singapore the Japanese bayonetted and killed every Chinese against whom there was the slightest suspicion. Many Malayan natives joined the guerrillas rather than enlist for military service with the Japanese. British-led guerrillas, armed with trench mortars, machine-guns and rifles, had been harassing Japanese. British and Australian officers organised guerrillas, and trained them in mobile warfare. They have rejected all Japanese surrender demands. Mr. Cheng said that operation of tin mines was suspended because the Japanese lack technique and machinery for production, and ships foi transportation. A gasoline shortage forced the Japanese to use charcoal burners in vehicles. Chinese in Malaya suffered most at the hand of the invaders. In two searches for patriots Japanese arrested and carried away thirty thousand Chii ' , se. None of there was heard of s ee.