LIBERATED MANDALAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1945, Page 5

LIBERATED MANDALAY

’ MOUNTBATTEN MESSAGE

TRIBUTE TO TROOPS

LONDON, March 21. The Supreme Commander in Southeast Asia (Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten), addressing his troops, said the capture of Mandalay, whicn the Japanese had announced would be defended -with the utmost vigour, proclaimed to the Japanese people as well as to the rest of the world what progress the Allies were making in the liberation of Burma. “Your earlier victories of Arakan, Kohima, and Imphal turned the tide of war and now you are reaping the fruits of those victories,” he said. “In many places the Japanese army has withdrawn rather than take you on over what —as we all know—was it own chosen fighting ground, but here the enemy has stood up to you—at his vital strategic points and the fighting has been tough, grim, and bloody. This fighting has not only cost him very heavy casualties but has -compelled him to make a lengthy withdrawal in desperate efforts to disengage his remaining forces. You have fought through the monsoon, giving the Japanese no chance to reorganise. You have fought marched, and flown over some of the most difficult try in the world—parts of which before this war were visited only by the most intrepid explorers. The recent crossing of the Irrawaddy alone, at points where it is six times as wide as the Thames at Waterloo Bridge, is an epic achievement and it is only one of many.” Admiral Mountbatten paid tribute to the air forces -and said he looked forward with confidence to even greater' victories. THE NEXT BATTLE RUGBY, March 21. Mandalay is now behind us and the stage is set for a great battle which must take place between Mandalay and Meiktila, where the Fourth Corps is astride the Japanese escape highways to the south, states a Burma correspondent. Armoured columns of the Thirty-third Corps are already thrusting into the heart of this large pocket containing many thousand Japanese. The enemy is being hammered and threatened from several points. The South-east Asia Command announces that since November 11 the Fourth Corps of the Fourteenth Army killed 6000 Japanese and 4000 since the capture ol Meiktila. The Japanese are <atill spasmodically shelling the main airfield at Meiktila- , , South-east Asia Headquarters states that an armoured column operating from Meiktila; in three days killed more than 300 Japanese. Elsewhere our troops made satisfactory progress. Troops of the British Thirty-sixth Division consolidated in Mogok and made further progress. Chinese troops cleared the road from Hsipan to Namhsil, eight miles south-west of Hsipan. West African troops captured Letmauk, 66 miles south-east of Akyab, m the face of exposition. ' CITY’S DESOLATION (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) BOMBAY, Mar. 21. Reconquered Mandalay is a dismal sight. It is a city from which all semblance of organisation has been withdrawn, says the Australian-Associat-ed Press correspondent in Burma, it/ has no commerce -with the outside world and there is no one who can speak on city’s behalf. Those human beings who remain have reverted to a primitive order of society, with less cohesion than a gipsy encampment. The largest social unit is the family. There are no trams,, •electric light, municipal services, oi. police force. The central part of the city where the churches, official buildings and commerce houses stood is a deserted ruin, partly as a result of Japanese burning in 1942 and partly through our bombing later. Groves of trees which formerly gave shade to the residents are polluted by Japanese smells and rubbish, the river is littered with sunken, boats, and beyond one or two primitive Chinese tea shops there is not a sign of business left. Civil affairs officeis trying to establish order and recruit police are working with insufficient staff and on a shoe-string basis._For example, incoming police are armed with shotguns while Dacoits use pillaged rifles.

LORD WAVELL’S VISIT RUGBY, March 21. Au announcement from 10 Downing Street states that the British Government has invited the Viceroy and Governor-General of maia (Lord Wavell) to visit London by air. for personal consultations. The discussions in London are likely to cover a wide field, including the maintenance of India as a base m operations against Japan alter the defeat of Germany. Commenting on the announcement that Lord Wavell has been invited to London for personal consultations, the Press Association’s lobby correspondent says it is learned on the highest authority the reason for the invitation is because the European war is obviously speeding toward the end and Cabinet is anxious to confer with Lord Wavell on plans to transfer the whole weight of British armaments to the Pacific at the conclusion of the European war. Lord Wavell’s visit is expected to last several weeks, and during this time there will also be important consultations on Indian affairs. The correspondent is of the opinion that Lord Wavell’s visit has nothing to do with the forthcoming world security conference, to which India is sending her own delegates.