WAR IN BURMA

Grey River Argus, 17 March 1942, Page 5

WAR IN BURMA

Allied Air Reinforcements

SHEWEGYIN RETAKEN

(Rec. 1.10) LONDON, March 16. A Mandalay message reports that the British have retaken Shewegyin. to the north-east of Rangoon, on the Indian Sea. An Indian sergeant, disguised as a coolie, penetrated the Japanese lines at Shewegy.n, and brought, back details of the enemy’s strength and disposition, paving the way for the capture of the town. NEW DELHI. March 15.

“Air reinforcements for Burma' are coming faster, and plans are being accelerated for British and American types of aircraft superior to the Jap-, anese.” said Air Marshal Pierse. the newly appointed .Air Officer Commanding, India. He added: “Man for man, I don’t think we have anything like equal terms. Aircraft are arriving in India of the latest type. The allied air forces will fight to the utmost to hold Burma. They won’t be content to put up an umbrella and sit under it. waiting for an enemy attack. We intend to carry the war into Japan.” He disclosed that American staff officers had established air headquarters in India, and said that an American volunteer group and American planes had done magnificent work in Burma. In co-operation with tne R.A.F. the Americans; certainly accounted for 200 J'apanese aircraft for the Allied loss of 42.

JAP TROOPS BOMBED

LONDON, March 15. A New Delhi message states: The R.A.F. bombed lorries laden with Japanese troops near Kaukkyan, and bombed and machine-gunned a concentration of enemy tanks w-th horse and mechanical transport at Mawbee. A bomber also attacked /and sank canoes full of troops, and effectively bombed groups of enemy soldiers on the Mingalodon-Mawhee road. Mingalodon is " about 10 miles north of Rangoon, and . Mawbee another 15 miles north of dyiingalodon. RANGOON MJW6LE , CALCUTTA; March 15. It is revealed that convicts and lunatics, who were released before the Brit’sh evacuation 'of Rangoon city, became a prey to looters andrio'ters.

The Burmese were annoyed at the authorities’ failure to tell them

frankly about the progress of the war. The newspapers were closed down without warning, leaving the the c'tizens without information. While 800 assembled Lend-lease trucks were being burnt at a civil depot, a Royal Engineers’ unit was trying with unskilled labour to unpack and assemble other trucks on the wharves.