BURMA & INDIA

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1942, Page 8

BURMA & INDIA

NEW STRATEGY

Commander’s Hopes

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] MANDALAY. March 17.

The new Allied strategy justifies an optimistic outlook In Burma,” said the new General Officer Commanding in Burma (Lieutenant General Sir Harold Alexander). ”We are now trying to beat the Japanese at their own game. In many ways they are as good an eneffiv as the Boche, well-trained, with the campaign planned years «go. The Imperial forces, at present, are contacting the enemy In the Nyuanglebin area, where the enemy have been pushed back. Japanese infiltrations are being met by effective counter-measures. Despite the loss of Rangoon, the battle for Burma has not even started yet.” Reviewing the past fights, General Alexander said: The British fought magnificently.; The Chinese forces who recently joined the Allies in Burma - 'are excellent, and have very sound ideas about how to deal with the Japanese.

The Prime Minister of Burma (Sir Paw Tun), warned the people of tlm country that they must be prepared to encounter all kinds of hardships before victory was achieved. The Government was determined to light on. [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, March 17. British ciearing-up operations in the Shwegyin area of Burma appeal to have been successful. The general disposition of the-, opposing forces is that the Japanese are in occupation of the southern part of the Irrawaddy delta, with the British forces to the north and north-west roughly on a line from Tharawaddy to Shwegyin The Chinese are to the north of the British, and are moving towards Toungoo. It is learned in London that, the Japanese suffered severe casualties as a result of the successful diverGional action of Imperial troops in ihe Shwegyin area of the Burma front The foilowing communique was ssued in Burma to-day: Chinese patrols contacted about 300 Thais near the frontier south-east of Mongton. They killed 100 and the remainder retreated. On the Prome Road, enemy patrols have not yet made contact with our forward troops, though certain concentrations have been reported on roads to the south. NEW DELHI, March 17.' A sub-committee of the Chamber of Princes has been constituted, to carry on negotiations with Sir S. Cripps. The negotiations will be subject. to the final confirmation of the Chamber of Princes, and do not prejudice th'j rights of individual States.

Azad, addressing Congress workers, said: "India’s testing time has come, so I hope you won’t be found wanting. I will not shirk iresponsibiiity, but will defend the Motherland bv fighting foreign aggression. I will be the first to face the enemy’s bullet, rather than submit.” U.S. MISSION TO INDIA. (Rec. 5.5.) WASHINGTON, Mar. 16. Mr Louis Johnson is heading an American mission to India. He will be a personal representative of President Roosevelt, with the personal rank of “Minister” in India.