ARMY RECAPTURES TWO TOWNS FROM BURMA INSURGENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1948, Page 5

ARMY RECAPTURES TWO TOWNS FROM BURMA INSURGENTS

(Roe 10.20 a.m.) RANGOON, August 24. A communique says Government troops have recaptured two small towns which had been in insurgent hands for some days in the Yenang Yaung district, west of the Com-munist-controlled Yamethin area. Communist insurgents near Rangoon attacked a transport depot at insein, and took vehicles and arms. A number of Army deserters surrendered at Toungoo and Mingaldon. Military observers believe that the Government’s strategy is: Firstly, to clear the Rangoon area: secondly, to recapture the important rail terminus and inland river port, of Proine, 150 miles north-west of Rangoon; and thirdly, to keep open the railway between Rangoon and Mandalay. A. usually reliable source reported that disturbances have broken out in Mawachi. a tin and wolfram centre in Karenni State, 145 miles northcast of Rangoon. Il is learned that the British women and children who evacuated the Irriwaddy town of Thayetmyo. just before the Burmese Army deserters occupied it, escaped in a houseboat with a sail. They arrived safely at the British oilfields in the North.