ON CHINA BORDER

Grey River Argus, 7 May 1942, Page 5

ON CHINA BORDER

JAPS. IN BURMA Pincers Towards British LAust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.j LONDON, May 5. The British troops in Burma are reported to be fighting back strongly in a rearguard action. Enemy forces are moving up the river, forming a claw of the Japanese pincer movement which so far has tried in vain to capture the northern army. The other arm of the pincer is operating 25 miles from the Chinese frontier, where the Chinese arc lighting stubbornly. Blenheim ’planes yesterday swooped down on barges in the Chindw’m. The barges were full of Japanese troops and the attacking aircraft had to plunge through a strong anti-air-craft barrage. They succeeded in dropping their bombs and scored direct hits. The Chindwin forms a line along the right Hank of General Alexander’s forces. There is news of anothei’ big raid by American Army bombers. This time the target was the enemy-occu-pied aerodrome at Mingaladon. A number of heavy bombs were dropped on the target. Runways were hit, and a large explosion was seen. The Japanese pul up little resistance, and all the American aeroplanes returned safely. The Japanese are advancing on Chukok, on the Burma side of the Chinese border, opposite Wanting, where their advance has been hailed, but lighting is continuing with unabated ferocity. The Associated Press correspondent at Chungking (China), reports: The army spokesman discloses that a small Japanese force, driving along the Burma Road, to-day, neared the Chinese customs frontier station at Wanting. The spokesman added that the Japanese apparently plan to sever communication between the British right and the Chinese left flank at the mountain approaches to India. It is expected that the Japanese will concentrateefforts on the capture of Bharno, 170 miles north of Mandalay, with a view “to seal the alternative terminus of the Burma Road.” Chinese troops south of the main battle zone have started vigorous guerrilla warfare against the Japanese. Bitter fighting is in progress in the area around Wanting, which is still in Chinese hands.

The spokesman said that destruction of the Chinese section of tin Burma Road was not yet necessary, but the scorched earth policy would be carried out if necessary. Th? situation was admittedly serious but there was no alarm among the Chinese people or the rank and file of the Chinese army. Otir efforts against the enemy will not be relaxed.

The spokesman said: The Chinese owe a heavy debt to the badly outnumbered Allied forces. Enforcement of a new national mobilisation law will start with a great campaign this week, to teach the Chinese people that they must make greater sacrifices to ensure final victory. Measures to intensify conscription, bolster production, increase Government purchase of food at fixed prices, as well as a campaign to sell war bonds, will be launched.