BEYOND KALEWA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21581, 7 December 1944, Page 5

BEYOND KALEWA

ALLIES ADVANCING JiAiTLE FOR RAILWAY good TARGETS FOR R.A.F. CO a-m.) KANDY, Dec. 6. It is possible that before many weeks the troops of the 14th Army wno are advancing steadily beyond Kalewa may be astride the branch railway from Ye-U to Mandalay, reports the Associated Press’ correspondent- i. Although Ye-U is only 75 miles south-east of Kalewa, the road runs through tough mountainous jungle every mile of which is likely to be strongly. Strong support is being given to the ground forces iiy the R.A.F, which is bombing and strafing Che retreating Japanese. There are many rivers along the road across which the Japanese are obliged to ferry supplies in darkness because of the destruction of bridges. As a result, the supplies are continually becoming concentrated thus making good bombing targets. Ihe Chinese position at Blinmo has been strengthened by the capture of an _ airstrip. The Americans and Chinese are rapidly adapting it for use as another springboard for launching attacks against the Japanese. A South-East Asia communique states: “The expansion of our bridgehead on the east bank of the Chindwin River. is proceeding against enemy opposition. In the northern combat area, the Chinese troops made slight gains at Bhamo, near the Irrawaddy. The lines were straightened and positions consolidated in other sectors.”