SALWEEN LINE

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1942, Page 5

SALWEEN LINE

EXPECTED TO HOLD Enemy Preparing Attack I [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] RUGBY, Feb. 8. A Rangoon communique states: All is quiet on the Salween front. Three Japanese spies have been caught and shot by the police. An enemy attempt to land southward of Paan was repulsed with small arms fire.

Chinese troops have been steadily flowing into Burma during the past two months, and more are en route. It is understood that the Chinese are assuming the entire responsibility for certain sections of the front, under their own formation commanders.

Enemy aircraft attacked aerodrome areas north' of Rangoon during the night, but only slight material damage resulted. There were no casualties.

Our aircraft were active in the forward area during the afternoon of February 7, and inflicted damage on enemy air materials. (Rec. 10.10). RANGOON, Feb. 8. There are now indications at Paan that the Japanese intend soon to launche an attack across the Salween River. The Japanese can be heard felling bamboos, which, apparently, are for rafts for a crossing. The Salween River at Paan is nine hundred yards wide. The British troops along the Salween River are in good heart. They are well equipped. There is increasing activity by British planes. This substantiates a belief that the Salween River line can be held. British Blenheim planes, escorted by United States volunteer fighters, have heavily attacked docks on Kadoe Island in the Salween River, which is held by the Japanese. All of the raiders returned safely to their base. (Rec. 12.50). LONDON, February 9. A. Rangoon message states Blenheim planes, escorted by United States volunteer fighter planes, heavily attacks docks on the Japan-ese-held island of Kaaol, in the Salween 1 River. All .of the raiders returned safely. VISIT OF GENERAL WAVELL RANGOON, Feb. 8. Lieutenant-General Hutton, who has returned from an inspection of the Salween River front with General, Wavell, declared to-day: "We are in a far sounder position to call a halt to the Japanese than we were before.

I “Gensi’al Wavell’s presence gave 'great satisfaction and encouragement to everybody. He saw a good many officers and troops and was pleased with their tearing. Although his headquarters are in distant Java it is good that ne is able to keep a hand on our plans, and watch the progress of operations.” This was General Wavell’s second visit in Burma. Ort both occasions he flew to Rangoon in an American plane with, an American crew. JAPANESE CLAIMS ~LONDON, Feb. 8.. According to the Tokio radio, Imperial, headuqarters claim that Japanese bombers in a mass raid on the Migaladon aerodrome in Burma, shot down 12 Allied planes. They further say that Singapore has been air-raided 64 times and Burma 40 times since the war Began.