BATTLE OF RANGOON

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1942, Page 5

BATTLE OF RANGOON

BRITISH LINE HOLDS ENEMY’S FLANK ATTACK Fighting Extends Inland JAPANESE MENACE GROWING. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.J LONDON, February 20. A very serious view is taken by “The Times” of th£ Japanese thrust to Burma, after the fall of Singapore. and the. consequent danger to the Burma Road along which supplies passed to sustain the armies of Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek in his heroic struggle. “The Times' says that the Japanese have not only been able to force their way through i obstacles in the north, prematurely 1 described in some quarters as impenetrable, but also have side-track-ed them by operations in the south. “The Times” continues: “There can be no shadow of doubt that the threat to Rangoon has become vital and urgent. And the loss of Rangoon would mean in the first place the cutting of the only means of communication by which the bulk of supplies can be transported to hardpressed China and, in the second, the acquisition by Japan of a potential base of operations against shipping in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The threat to Rangoon is a threat also to all Southern Burma and that in its turn Js a threat at least in the air, to the teeming population of the Lower Ganges. “It would be worse than folly to underrate the seriousness of the situation. Forces from India and China have been moving up to the front in increasing numbers. If it is possible to provide them, their bases and their sea and land communications with adequate air support, the enemy may yet find the task he has tackled one of great difficulty. “The time has come, however, to put aside any notion that the Japanese Army is an opponent of the second order. Good and wellequipped troops will always be required to defeat it even when it is encountered on equal terms, and it is by no means certain that it does not now possess advantages almost as great as those which it enjoyed in the Malayan campaign. Above all, its fanaticism must be fought down by iron resolution.”

BRITISH LINE HOLDS. 8.0.W.. RUGBY, February 20. The latest news received in London indicates that fierce fighting on the Bilin River is in progress, with attack and counter-attack and heavy casualties on both sides. It appears that the main British positions on the river remain intact. A communique from Rangoon yesterday states that since the British withdrawal behind the Bilin River, the Japanese succeeded in cutting the west flank of the British forces in the northern reaches of the river. The troops were subjected to a heavy attack, but a counter-attack was launched, and the British -lines were kept intact. The Japanese, continues the communique, tried to cross the river, but they were driven back into the water. Fighting was fierce and casualties were heavy on both sides. The main Japanese thrusts are aimed at cutting the railway between Rangoon and Lashio, the terminus of the Burma Road into China. A REPULSE FOR JAPANESE.

IN NORTH EAST. (Rec. 6.30). CHUNGKING, Feb. 21. Chinese and Allied troops repulsed a Japanese attack near Mongyin, in the north-east of Burma. Japanese forces attempted to cross a river west of Chiengsen, but were thrown back. BRITISH COUNTER-ATTACKS. SUCCEEDS. (Rec. 7.30.) RUGBY, Feb. 21. Authoritative reports from Burma indicate that fierce fighting has continued on the Bilin River position during the past two or three days, and two British counter-attacks have been sudcetssful, though there, naturally, have been heavy casualties on both sides. JAPANESE ATTACKS. ON BRITISH LEFT FLANK. (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, Feb. 21. A British communique issued at Rangoon on Saturday stated: After our withdrawal behind the Bilin River, enemy forces first crossed the river to the west bank northwards of Bilin. They subjected our forward brigades to a heavy attack. We then launched a counter-attack. The enemy has continually tried to envelop our left flank while increasing his pressure on our right. Our main positions have been left intact by means of constant counter-attacks.

Allied Planes STRAFE JAPS SEVERELY. (Rec. 8.55.) LONDON, Feb. 21. The Rangoon radio stated: Allied air forces throughout Saturday strongly took the offensive against Japanese positions, continually straffind the Japanese infantry, and causing heavy casualties. They also started many fires. Allied ’planes, without loss, shot down three fight-' ers and damaged others. JAP. RAID ON MANDALAY. TOKIO, February 20. The radio stated the Dome! Agency reported that Japanese bombers made their first , raid on Mandalay, heavily damaging military installations with direct hits. Another squadron raided Pyinmana, and set fire to 80 trucks. BIG JAP FLEET OFF BURMA. LONDON, Feb. 20. Newspaper despatches from Kunming report that a large number of Japanese warships and transports have been sighted off the coast of Burma. The enemy fleet was reported to be approaching a flat, sandy; undefended part of the coast. Large Jap. Convoy MAKES FOR BURMA COAST. (Rec. 6.30). LONDON, February 20. Newspaper despatches from Kunming report that a large number of Japanese warships and transports have been sighted off the Burma coast. The enemy fleet is approaching the flat, sandy and undefended part of the coast of Burma.