CAMPAIGN IN BURMA

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 June 1944, Page 3

CAMPAIGN IN BURMA

kohima battle ended COSTLY STRUGGLE FOR RIDGES "KANDY, June 13. An official spokesman of the South-East Asia Command said: The withdrawal by the Japanese from positions commanding the Naga vil-oo-p to Kohima brings to a conclusion a two months!’ battle for the domination of the Kohima ridges and resolves an issue which is oi vital importance to operations in the whole eastern theatre. It has been no easy victory, and our casualties have not been light. The enemy has shown himself to be a tough and skilful lighter. Victory is sealed by our complete occupation of the Aradura Spur,’a 6000 ft hill commanding the Manipur Road, six miles south of the Naga village of Wellas. The formidable nature of the terrain has been (mo-’uf the features of the eam-nfii-rt The battles have been fought at a height of 5000 ft; often in the thickest jungle. The troops struggled up from nullahs 2000 ft below, loaded with equipment, in the face of small arms, grenades and mortar fil'C. • 4 J T» The Associated Presfe representative at South-east Asia Headquarters says: British pressure in Kama'ing is increasing. The town is now "under tire, following the capture of a village two miles northeast. We hold the village of Tekrima. east of Kohima, but the Japanese hold a position immediately south-east, several hundred yards away, and it is believed that there are still a small number of Japanese in the Kohima area. Hard lighting is <! still going on in the eight to nine thousand feet hills forming a sleep ridge west of the Manipur Road. Further south, on the Tiddcn Road, numerous actions are in progress. These may be classified ar> continuous smash and grab raids by both sides. They nave proved extremely expensive in the total for the Japanese 33rd Division. PROGRESS AT MYITKYINA (Recd. 9.15 a.m.) KANDY, June 13. The Allies captured several Japanese strongpoints at Myitkyina and advanced 350 yards against strong resistance. The railway was cut north-east of the town, but heavy fighting lies ahead before the Japanese can be dislodged from what are obviously very strong positions, says the Australian Associated Press correspondent at South-east Asia Command Headquarters. The action which recovered the important hill position cost the Japanese at least 190 fives. A company of Gurkhas supported by tanks, stormed and caplured the" hill.

FURTHER PROGRESS

RUGBY, June 13.

In the last seven days General Stilwell's troops have had hard hand-to-hand fighting against the Japanese at Mvitkvina and Kamaing. The south"airfield of Myitkyina has already been captured, and part of the northern airfield is in possession ol American and Chinese troops. Chinese troops in the Mogaung Valley have advanced further and have occupied places east and west of Kamaing. They nave also tightened their hold on the KamaingMogaung Road. Air-borne troops to the south are continuing to press forward south of Mogaung Road, and have also attacked the south-east outskirts of Myitkyina. The Japanese are showing some disorganisation in this area, and have left a good deal of equipment behind in the Kamaing sector.

The Japanese have been forced to admit defeat in the Kohima area and have been driven south and east of the town. Small pockets of resistance are still in the vicinity of Kohima to the south and south-east, but our troops are steadily cleaning them up. Though the enemy is still not defeated on the whole of the Manipur front the fighting in the vicinity of Bishenpur, Palel and other areas is proceeding satisfactoi ily.

The Eastern Air Command has flown an average of 450 sorties daily, despite monsoon conditions. In six days the Troop Carrier Command flew 1416 sorties. Enemy air activity has been very slight indeed, particularly in regard to medium bombers. The advance to Myitkyina has considerably shortened the length of the air ferry route to China and has also reduced the likelihood of lighter aircraft flying over it being attacked by enemy fighters. FIGHTING IN CHINA

(Recd. 11.35 a.m.) CHUNGKING, June 13. Heavy fighting continues for Changsha. In one sector the Chinese have killed 300 Japanese. The enemy throat to Tungkwan, in Honan Province, has increased. A Chinese com.munique says the Japanese are advancing on two towns 20 miles east of Tungkwan. The Japanese pushing southwards from the sector east of the HankowPekin railway have scored a considerable, advance and are now attacking the important junction city of Chowkiakow.

General Chennault’s Liberators sank a Japanese freighter and damaged a cruiser off the South-east China coast.